Mexico Jan-July 2008 Tourism Revenues UP 6.3 % to $ 8.8 Billion Ministry 

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MEXICO CITY 9/22/2008 -(Dow Jones)- Mexico's tourism revenues rose 6.3% in the first seven months of the year from the like 2007 period to $8.48 billion, thanks to increasing arrivals of tourists.

Mexico received 13.6 million foreign tourists from January to July this year, up 5.2% from the first seven months of last year, the Tourism Ministry said Sunday in a news release.

The number of tourists traveling beyond border areas was 8.4 million, an increase of 4.5%. On average, they spent $788 each.

Tourism revenue in July edged up 2.4% from the year-ago month to $1.14 billion.

Tourism is a major source of foreign currency inflows into Mexico, behind oil and remittances from Mexicans living abroad.

-By Paul Kiernan, Dow Jones Newswires; (5255)5001-5726; paul.kiernan@dowjones.com