According to the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household, more than 2.8 million people attended the weekly general audiences, the Sunday blessings, special papal audiences or liturgical celebrations at which Pope Benedict presided.
Also, the number of visitors going through the doors of the Vatican Museums in 2005 broke all records, even surpassing the huge crowds that came during the jubilee year when the museums extended opening hours into the afternoon. Last year, more than 3.8 million people squeezed through the turnstiles. That number was up from more than 3.4 million people in 2004.
A recent article in the NYTimes said that Rome is the #1 travel destination for Americans in Europe this year, according the a survey by Carlson Wagonlit Travel.
The European Travel Commission showed the following numbers for travel to Europe.
2000 - 13.12 million visitors 2002 - 10.68 million visitors 2005 - 12.50 million visitors
Every year following 2000 showed a decline in visitors, however, 2006 could bring a record year for travel.
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