Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs, Transportation & Telecommunication (MinTEATT) Hon. Romeo Pantophlet is very pleased with the December 2012 occupancy figures being the highest in five years.
Occupancy levels for December 2012 were 73 per cent, and the last time the highest figure was recorded in December 2007 at 72.7 per cent.
The Minister is of the opinion that the country’s tourism sector is on the rebound and is in line with global tourism trends.
The World Tourism Organization (WTO) based on sample reporting destination, stated that international arrivals are estimated to have increased by four per cent from January to August 2012 compared to the same period in 2011.
All world regions recorded growth in international arrivals except the Middle East.
On December 13, 2012, the estimated number of tourists traveling hit the symbolic one billion mark according to the WTO.
Tourism accounted for nine per cent of global gross domestic product when totaling its direct, indirect and induced impact, the WTO points out, noting that one in every 12 jobs and up to eight per cent of the total exports of the world’s United Nations designated Least Developed Countries depend on tourism.