March 10, 08

NEWS / U.S. loses two places in world tourism rankings

With the Valley in the middle of its peak tourism season, a new read on the U.S. tourism sectors finds that the country is falling behind.

The United States is now the seventh-most competitive country in the travel and tourism sector, dropping two places from a year ago, according to the Global Travel & Tourism Competitive Report 2008.

The report by the World Economic Forum, in conjunction with Booz Allen Hamilton, places Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Australia, Spain and Great Britain ahead of the U.S. Sweden, Canada and France round out the top 10.

The rankings, which cover 130 countries, are based on a measurement of more than 60 variables, including statutory regulations, health and safety, infrastructure, local price levels and environmental and cultural aspects. Among the variables, the U.S. ranked a lowly 114th in the openness of U.S. citizens toward foreign visitors. The U.S. also did not fare well in the safety and security rankings (119th), but was rated first in the overall business environment and infrastructure.

The Business Journal of Phoenix - by Adam Kress Phoenix Business Journal

Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2008/03/10/daily1.html