Mexico´s Travel Industry Expects Record Highs in 2005

Mexico´s government is now forecasting tourism earnings of more than $12 billion for 2005, a figure that would represent nearly an 11 percent growth from the year before and the second-highest increase ever chalked up the country´s leisure sector since 1996.

The country expects to welcome way over 23 million travelers by the end of the ongoing year, a new record high that would zap the previous benchmark of 21.4 million visitors back in 1996.

Tourism accounts for almost 10 percent of the Aztec nation´s gross domestic product and employs some 1.9 million workers.