World tourism overall grew in 2002 despite global economic problems and concerns over war and terrorism, according to the World Tourism Organization’s annual report on international tourist arrivals.
Arrivals reached nearly 715 million, the first time they have gone above 700 million, the WTO said. The 2002 figure was 22 million more than 2001, a 3.2 percent increase.
Europe ranked No. 1 in arrivals, with Spain, Italy and Greece faring especially well. United Kingdom arrivals grew more than 3 percent. Central and Eastern Europe increased 3.9 percent, on average. Poland and the Czech Republic registered declines of more than 5 percent.
Asia and the Pacific grew significantly, although India’s arrivals fell 6.6 percent. North American arrivals still are hurting from Sept. 11 fallout, the WTO said, but the overall decline was just under 1 percent, owing partly to increases in Canada. Still, North America has nearly 12 percent of the global market, compared with 14.6 percent in 1995.
Singles travel studied
Single people don’t tend to haul the family to Disney World, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have clout in the world of travel.
Single households–those composed of people who are single and live alone or with a roommate–account for 32 percent of all U.S. households and are responsible for 27 percent of all domestic trips, according to a new study by the Travel Industry Association.
For young singles, most trips were taken by those ages 25 to 34; 39 percent of their trips were short getaways of one or two nights.
For middle singles, the average age was 45; they spent the most of all the singles age groups, averaging $462 per trip, excluding transportation; and their trips were more likely than those of other singles to be for business purposes.
For older working singles, the average age was 64; they were more likely to visit historical places and museums or attend cultural events and festivals than were younger singles.
For older retired singles, the average age was 72; they owned the most RVs; their trips were least likely to be by air but most likely to be by bus; and they took the longest trips.
Wyndham phones free
Phone bills are a sore subject for many guests at hotels that apply surcharges or charge high rates for long-distance calls.
Hoping to tap into that displeasure, Wyndham International recently extended a program that offers not only free local calls, but also free long-distance phone calls, high-speed Internet access, faxing and copying at its properties.
Guests must sign up for the chain’s Wyndham ByRequest program before June 30 and also must stay at any Wyndham Hotel, Wyndham Resort, Wyndham Luxury Resort or Summerfield Suites by Wyndham prior to June 30.
The phone policy excludes calls to Alaska and Hawaii. For conditions or to enroll, visit www.wyndham.com.
