Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
reached their peak in 1996 with US$4.1bn,
then a decline was experienced, especially in
1999 and 2000. Table 9.1 shows a slight
increase in 2001 but the international situation
after September 2001 and the floods of 2002
resulted again in a decline for that year. How-
ever, the following years showed a resurgence
in receipt levels.
The direct share of tourism in GDP, as
shown in Table 9.2, again had a positive ten-
dency up to 1996 when it reached its maximum
(7.1%). This was followed by a decline to 2003.
The estimated level for 2004 was between 3.0
and 3.5%; together with tourism-related activi-
ties, the estimated share grew to 12% of GDP.
The share of tourism receipts in exports reached
its maximum in 1997 and 1998. From 1999, a
relative decline can be observed as a result of
overall increasing export incomes.
Receipts from tourism as a proportion of all
foreign exchange receipts from services reached
its maximum in 1997 (Table 9.2). A significant
decline set in from 1999, although a slight
increase was experienced in 2003. The direct
share of tourism in employment is estimated at
3.8%, but when tourism-related branches are
also included, the estimated share grows to
12-13% (Mag Consulting, 2005).
Inbound and Outbound Travel
The Czech Statistical Office obtains information
on tourism in two basic forms: (a) numbers of
incoming visitors - each foreigner who crosses
the border regardless of length of stay; and (b)
number of incoming visitors who stay at least
one night in registered accommodation. When
compared to 2003, the number of arrivals to the
Czech Republic in 2004 increased by 19.4%.
From a total number of 7.9m arrivals, 6.06m
visitors stayed in registered accommodation
and 1.85m stayed with friends/relatives or in
rented apartments.
Germany is the major visitor source, with
1.99m arrivals in 2004 (an increase of 9.1% on
2003), a share of 25.1% of the market, and an
average length of stay of 4.8 days. Slovak visi-
tors represent the second largest market, with
Table 9.1.
The Czech Republic: foreign exchange receipts and expenditure, 1992-2004.
Indicator
(bn US$)
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
Receipts
1.1
1.6
2.2
2.9
4.1
3.6
3.9
3.2
3.0
3.1
2.9
3.6
4.2
Expenditure
0.5
0.5
1.6
1.6
3.0
2.4
1.9
1.5
1.3
1.4
1.6
1.9
2.3
Balance
0.6
1.1
0.6
1.3
1.1
1.2
2.0
1.7
1.7
1.7
1.4
1.6
1.9
Source:
Czech National Bank, 2005.
Table 9.2.
The Czech Republic: share of tourism in the national economy, 1993-2003.
Indicator
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
Share of tourism
receipts as % of
GDP
5.0
5.6
5.5
7.1
6.9
6.8
5.8
5.9
5.5
4.2
4.2
Share of tourism
receipts as % of
exports
11.0
14.0
13.4
18.6
16.3
15.0
12.0
10.3
9.3
7.7
7.3
Share of tourism
receipts as % of
service receipts
33.0
43.2
42.8
49.8
50.9
50.6
44.8
43.5
43.8
41.7
45.8
Source:
Czech National Bank, 2005.
