Kuoni predicts good year for tourism to the US - 22 Jan 2007
The USA is predicted to become one of Kuoni’s top long haul destinations this year while other countries look set to drop down due to ongoing political problems.
The tour operator’s latest long haul report of the top 20 destinations, predicted that although favourites Maldives and Thailand look set to maintain the top two spots respectively, as they have done for 2006, the USA is expected to come in at number three - up from sixth place last year.
However Egypt and Sri Lanka look set to see a downturn as popular destinations due to political problems and terrorist bombings.
Managing director Sue Biggs said following the “unwelcoming” perception and the visa issues in the USA, people were booking to go back.
She said: “With the strength of the pound, I think people are beginning to go back to America again. Sri Lanka has suffered, and parts of Egypt as well.”
Biggs explained that although the mass market to Red Sea was still doing well, Kuoni wanted to “reinstate” itself in classic Egypt.
Kuoni’s top 20 long haul destinations
| 2006 | 2007 | |
| Maldives | 1 | 1 |
| Thailand | 2 | 2 |
| Egypt | 3 | 9 |
| Kenya | 4 | 4 |
| Dubai | 5 | 5 |
| USA | 6 | 3 |
| Sri Lanka | 7 | 8 |
| China (incl Hong Kong) | 8 | 6 |
| Mauritius | 9 | 11 |
| Singapore | 10 | 7 |
| Malaysia | 11 | 13 |
| India | 12 | 12 |
| Australia | 13 | 10 |
| Barbados | 14 | 16 |
| St Lucia | 15 | 19 |
| Antigua | 16 | 20 |
| Cuba | 17 | 15 |
| Tanzania | 18 | 14 |
| Morocco | 19 | 17 |
| Mexico | 20 | - |
| New Zealand | - | 18 |
| Bali | - | - |