North America has always been a popular destination for business and leisure tourists eager to savour what the world's leading economies have on offer or to experience the atmosphere and ancient history of Mexico and Central America.
The quality of hotels and restaurants in Canada and the USA is, generally, first class though expensive compared to other regions of the world, somewhat mitigated by a weak dollar. Further South there is greater variety in standards of accommodation, restaurants and transport infrastructure. With the active support of local governments, a range of tourism development projects are underway throughout the region.
Canada is one of the biggest and most beautiful countries in the world, from the ski slopes of Whistler near stunning Vancouver to the fog and storms of rugged Nova Scotia. In between lie the Rocky Mountains, replete with glaciers, snowy peaks and moraine lakes, the endless prairies and fascinating Quebec City, like a little piece of mediaeval Europe set in the middle of fast food America.
The USA provides a rich mixture of varied scenery and new world history. In the East, there's New York, fronted by the Statue of Liberty, historic Boston and the Niagara Falls; down South there's the wonder of Disneyworld and the vibe of New Orleans; and out West, there are the ski resorts and the canyons of the Rockies, the beaches of California and the zany zing of San Francisco.
Mexico and the countries of Central America provide a cultural contrast to their Northern neighbours, as well as a stimulating mixture of ancient Aztec remains, tropical jungles and sun-drenched beaches.
According to the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), during 2003 the Americas recorded a 1% decrease in international tourism arrivals, with North America the only sub-region to record a loss (-5%) for the third year in a row, mainly due to the weak economy and continuing concerns about security after 11 September. The Caribbean (+8%) and South America (+12%) rebounded strongly from the declines of the previous two years.
