Luxembourg, 26/08/2002 (Agence Europe) - Despite the world economic slowdown and above all the tragic events of September 11, trends in tourism remained stable overall in the EU in 2001. Even after September 11, the total number of nights spent in hotels and similar establishments in the EU Member States was similar to the previous year's figures. In retrospect, therefore, 2000 was a very good year for tourism (compared with 1999), and 2001 one of stabilisation. The United Kingdom saw the sharpest drop in total overnight stays (-6.4%) in 2001, compared to 2000. Portugal and the Netherlands also recorded significant falls (-4%). Italy, on the other hand, recorded the highest annual increase (+4%) in the EU in total nights spent in hotels and similar establishments, followed by Luxembourg (+2.5%) and Austria (+1.3%). Eurostat, moreover, states that inbound tourism (non-residents) appears as that which suffered the most from the events on 11 September. After rising at the beginning of the year (+2.3% during the first quarter), it considerably fell over the third quarter, a fall confirmed over the last quarter with a significant rate of -5.7% compared to 2000. The Statistical Office of the EC stresses, however, that the fall in inbound tourism was offset by a rise in internal tourism, or tourism by residents.