The United States continues to lose large numbers of business travelers to Europe. The reason: stringent security measures for international visitors, according to a report by a tourism industry group.
The World Travel Market 2006 report — conducted by Euromonitor International — found that total business arrivals to the US fell by 10 percent to 7 million. That was over the 2004-2005 period. On the other hand, the number of business visitors to Europe grew by 8 percent to 84 million over the same period.
Euromonitor International spokesman Clement Wong said the trend away from North America was likely to intensify as security restrictions continue, making obtaining visas more difficult, reported the Associated Press.
“Rather than travel to the U.S., business travelers and leisure travelers are coming to Europe,” Mr Wong said.
Report by David Wilkening
