WTO Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli, who attended the International Tourism Fair in Berlin this week, said the positive forecast for Latin America is the result of an economic rebound in a number of countries where the flow of foreign tourists grew in double digits last year.

More Latin Americans are traveling abroad as well, and most of that is owed to the stabilization of the Argentine economy, the good going of Brazil and the good numbers that Venezuela has put on the financial board. In addition to that, the price of oil has also done its own to push tourism up, Mr. Frangialli commented.

Even though Latin American nations must endure new economic challenges in terms of infrastructure, professional training and security, I strongly believe the entire region is marching on the right track, Mr. Frangialli went on to say.

On the whole, the Western Hemisphere took in 16.3 percent of the world´s tourist inflow. That percentage includes the United States, a country that reeled in an 11.1 percent share of the global market.

By: Prensa-Latina