The significance of tourism to Mexico can be understood as a win/win situation: it’s a lucrative investment for developers and a source of sustainability for the Mexican government and its population. By 2013, it is estimated that Mexico will be the world’s 2nd fastest-growing destination.

TripAdvisor, the travel community site, recently surveyed more than 2,500 travelers about their travel plans for 2008. Forty-one percent of Americans said the unfavorable exchange rates will either prevent them from going or limit their travel to Europe in the coming year.

The 2007-2008 cruise season in Central America seems promising, as experts have predicted a significant increase in tourist arrivals. Estimates show a 7.4-percent increase in Costa Rica, while 91 ships carrying 51,000 travelers are expected in Guatemala.

The Air Transport Association is forecasting U.S. airlines will again post a cumulative profit of $3.5 billion to $4.5 billion in 2008, which, as ATA vice president and chief economist John Heimlich put it, would give the industry its first profitability “three-peat” since its positive run from 1998 to 2000.

The rate of growth in the number of passengers flying internationally will slow down between 2007 and 2011 compared with the previous five years, but both international and domestic traffic growth still will be strong enough to provide plenty of opportunities for airlines to boost their profits, IATA predicted in a new forecast.

Rising fuel prices, exchange rate fluctuations, increased taxation related to air travel, and continued threats to travelers’ health, safety and security. These are just a few of the challenges that have faced the global tourism industry in 2007.