World's top 15 travel destinations

World's top 15 travel destinations

Granted that Hong Kong is politically part of China ... dunno why Macao is mentioned as it is part of China now ... especially listing it without the revenue data as attached to other top destinations.

 

Wow...that's a lot of $$$!

 

I wonder how much of the US is travel to buy cheap stuff in the USA?

 

I guess Greece would like to see itself up there in the count.

 

It wonders me a lot that United Kingdom is doing it so well. The UK goverment have tried their best to reduce the number of tourists with their peculiar Air Passenger Duty that is changed all passengers flying from the UK provided they are not in transit.

 

I guess that would be ideal for their economy as Europeans are voting with their feet ... Greece tourism hit by euro crisis

 

Without the Euro, Greek's problems would cause their currency to devalue. This would bring in a flock of tourists to take advantage of cheap everything. The dollars and Euros spent by tourist would be the cold hard cash that Greece needs. And it would not be like a bailout, because people would earn their money through the service and accomidation they provide. The same could be true for Spain and Italy and some others. As it is, these counties are still too expensive for budget travelers like myself.

 

I wonder how much of that is collected $140 at a clip.

 

Many of us will travel to Greece this year precisely because of the cheaper prices, and they're still in the Euro.

Although the US$ has strengthened greatly vs the Brazil $R and other currencies this year, foreign visitors still yield much more than $140 a clip. brazilians alone buy half (50%) or the real estate sold in South Florida, the vast majority for cash. Retail sales in parts of New York, Florida, California and many other places are augmented materially by foreign visitors buying in the US. Every flight to Brazil is stuffed full of bags of brazilians who buy everything from Gold's Horseradish, refrigerator parts, computers and clothing (and that is just my own bags from my last trip). The last estimate i read is that the average Brazilian visitor to Florida spends $1,000 per day.

Are the average Russian or Chinese visitors much different? Maybe, but I doubt it. I suspect none of the data other than real estate are very accurate. Recently I had a conversation with the Macy's foreign visitor registration desk staffer at Dadeland in Miami (they give a discount to foreigners shopping there upon presentation of their foreign passport). I counted 83 names before mine on their roster, although I arrived only 90 minutes after opening. There were mostly Brazilians but quite a few Russians, Chinese and assorted other nationalities. The nice lady told me their store had roughly 70% sales from foreigners.

Those US visitor data most assuredly ignore all those merchandise sales and real estate sales. Were I in charge in the USA I'd be making major moves to enroll Brazil, Argentina, Russia and China in the Visa Waiver program. Even if a few hundred thousand from each stayed beyond their visa think of all the exports these people are producing.

 

jbcarioca- I know the Brazilian gov puts a heavy tax on imports. Does that apply to travelers entering the country? Do you ever have any problems coming through customs with all of your merchandise acquired abroad?

 

Good question. I personally have not even had my bags x-rayed or opened for more than five years.

The customs rules were refined and liberalized last January so now every passenger is entitled to 12 litres of wine, 12 of spirits and nearly anything (car parts and a few other arcane categories excepted) else duty free up to an aggregate value of US$500. On top of that there is a duty free shop in each arrivals hall and you can also buy more stuff, up to similar limits, there.

My nephews wife was inspected on her return from New York last week, the first person I personally know who's been inspected this year. She was required to pay 50% duty on a few iPads she was bringing in.

I have never heard of a tourist subjected to duty payments or other hassles in or out. That does not mean it does not happen, of course, but I have never heard of it.

 

Wow, 50% duty? That's insane! I wanted to send a couple of gifts to a good friend of mine in Curitiba, but was hesitant because I didn't want him to have to pay duty on it when it was delivered to him. Good to know the rules have loosened up a bit now. Thanks for the info!

 

Generally do not send anything to anybody in Brazil. there will be duties and fees. the fees will often be more than the duties. Bringing it with you is the solution. After all, who does not like Curitiba? Mrs jbc was born there, another reason why I love the city.

 

OK. Thanks for the advice. I've not yet been to Brazil, but it's definitely on my list. I didn't know about Curitiba before I met my friend in school, but now it will definitely be one of my destinations along with Rio.

 

If the Euro drops another 30% I will traverse 15 countries in Europe in 6 months........again! Forgot how good the old days were traveling on a shoestring.

 

It was only 11 years ago in May 2001 that the Euro was worth about 88 US cents. It seems the Euro has fallen far, but look at where it was not so long ago.

 

What is unique about the Euro financial plan was the denial from EU that what happened in the US to the dollar could happen to Europe.
In fact, with Ireland first bailed out by Germany and then Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy in line waiting for scraps the EURO downfall will continue.

I look forward to many great trips both in EU, Scandanavia and Eastern Europe.

 

I spent a few months backpacking in 2001, I think. Maybe 2000. It was the year before the Euro, but prices were set in each currency on the euro value. My dollar was strong. Spain and Portugal were very affordable to me. It would have been great not to have to change money at every frontier.
I admit that I look for places to travel where my dollar goes far. But, I do not wish hard times on Greece or Europe in general. Leasure travel is of low importance in the bigger picture, even if it is one of my favorite things.

 

when was the last time one went to macau and spent money on tourism?

 

Ah, IIRC 1981. Big advantage then: Macao was the only place in the entire continent where a Brazilian did not require a visa. We only did tourism then, but did not spend lots of money either.

 

Agree, back then you had 2 casinos and if you did not want to gamble there was excellent Portuguese food/wine to sample. Nowadays i doubt anyone goes there for food/wine.