International Tourism to the U.S. Booming. Visitor Spending Hits Record High in June 2008

For Immediate Release:September 10, 2008
Contact:Seamus Kraft/Michael Brown (202) 482-3809

INTERNATIONAL TOURISM TO THE U.S. BOOMING
Visitor Spending Hits Record High in June 2008

WASHINGTON —The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced that 4.0 million international visitors traveled to the United States in June 2008, an increase of 8 percent over June 2007. For the first six months of 2008 combined, visitation was up 11 percent compared to 2007. International visitors also spent a record $12.2 billion in June 2008, a 24 percent increase over June 2007. Spending by international travelers while in the United States, including travel receipts and passenger fares, is defined as a U.S. export.

“America’s open markets and robust tourism industry continue to attract record-breaking numbers of international visitors,” said Commerce Manufacturing and Services Assistant Secretary William G. Sutton. “The strength of the U.S. national travel and tourism industry contributes to America’s prosperity, while fostering cultural and business ties within the international community.”

Highlights: International Arrivals to United States for June and Year-to-Date (YTD) 2008

Overseas arrivals (excluding Canada and Mexico) increased nine percent for the month compared to June 2007 and 10 percent YTD 2008.
Visitation from Canada was up 15 percent for the month and 17 percent YTD.
Mexican travel to the U.S. ‘interior’1 was down 14 percent in June and up one percent for the first six months of 2008.
Visitation from Western Europe increased 19 percent in June and 17 percent YTD.
Arrivals from the United Kingdom were up eight percent in June and 8 percent YTD.
Visitation from other top Western European markets all increased by double-digits for the month of June 2008 as well as the first six months of the year. The largest growth rates were from: Germany (27 percent), France (25 percent), Italy (32 percent), Spain (37 percent), the Netherlands (37 percent) and Sweden (31 percent). Also, Eastern Europe generated an eight percent increase in arrivals for the month.
Arrivals from South America were up seven percent in June and 15 percent YTD.
Visitation from Asia was up one percent in June, with arrivals from China increasing 26 percent for the month.

Background
Manufacturing and Services’ Office of Travel and Tourism Industries (OTTI) collects, analyzes, and disseminates international travel and tourism statistics for the U.S. Travel and Tourism Statistical System. To view OTTI visitation data tables, please visit:
<http://www.tinet.ita.doc.gov/view/m-2008-I-001/index.html>.

1 The U.S. ‘interior’ begins 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of the U.S.-Mexico border. This distinguishes longer-haul travelers, including air passengers, from short-haul border crossers.

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