the further the destination is from home, the greater the uncertainly about travel and living costs, the higher the physical cost of travel (waiting time in airports, stress, jet-lag, immobility in the aircraft) and the more significant the psychological cost (hygiene, health care, and risks of all kinds). A lot can be done to reduce these costs and to enhance the competitiveness of the destination. There should be a combined effort by the tourist authority, immigration control, air carrier and others to reduce the perceived costs.