By Purpose of Visit (‘000s), 2007-2011
Purpose |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
Leisure, recreation and holidays |
140 |
144 |
126 |
149 |
76 |
Business and professional |
110 |
163 |
167 |
184 |
160 |
Visiting friends and relatives |
272 |
347 |
406 |
357 |
603 |
Others |
120 |
190 |
107 |
256 |
212 |
Total |
642 |
844 |
806 |
946 |
1151 |
Source: 2012 Statistical Abstract (UBOS)
The percentage of visitors coming for leisure and holidays steadily dropped from 22% to 14% during the period 2007-2011, while that of visitors coming business trips fluctuated between 17% and 21%. The percentage of those visiting friends increased from 42% to 52%, with a slump to 38% in 2010, and that of visitors coming for other reasons has generally grown from 19% to 27%. Overall, the actual numbers have grown with in the period apart from that of leisure, recreation and holidays.