For Immediate Release:January 20, 2006
Contact:Matt
Englehart (202) 482-3809
INTERNATIONAL VISITATION TO THE U.S. GROWS THROUGH
OCTOBER
The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced that 3.3 million international
visitors traveled to the United States in October 2005, an increase of
6 percent over October 2004. Arrivals were up 8 percent for the first
ten months of 2005 compared to 2004.
"As the U.S. economy continues to grow, we are welcoming more visitors
the United States," said Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and
Services Al Frink. "International visitation to the United States
continued its steady expansion each month through October of 2005, which
included growth from all major world regions."
Highlights of October 2005 and Year-to-Date International Arrivals
to the United States
- Canadian visitation grew almost 3 percent over October of 2004 and
8 percent for the first ten months of 2005 compared to 2004 (year-to-date).
- Arrivals from Mexico (traveling to interior U.S. points) were up 12
percent over October of 2004. Year-to-date arrivals were up 10 percent.
- Overseas arrivals (excluding Canada and Mexico) increased 7 percent
over October of 2004 and also year-to-date.
- Visitation from Western Europe grew 7 percent over October of 2004
and also year-to-date. Double-digit growth in October arrivals was noted
from France, Italy and Sweden. Arrivals from Eastern Europe continued
to grow, up 9 percent in October and 15 percent year-to-date.
- Arrivals from the United Kingdom increased by 4 percent over October
of 2004 and arrivals were up almost 2 percent year-to-date 2005.
- German arrivals were up 7 percent in October and year-to-date arrivals
were up 8 percent.
- Visitation from Asia increased 10 percent in October and almost 7
percent for the year. Japanese arrivals increased almost 5 percent for
the month and were up 3 percent year-to-date. Japanese visitors accounted
for 62 percent of all Asian visitors in the first ten months of 2005.
Arrivals from South Korea, the People's Republic of China/Hong Kong
and India grew by double-digits in October.
- Arrivals from South America were up 5 percent in October and 11 percent
year-to-date. Double-digit growth in visitation was recorded from Brazil
and Colombia in October.
- Travel from Oceania increased almost 12 percent in October and 11
percent for the year. Australia registered an 11 percent increase in
October and also year-to-date.
- Arrivals also grew in October from the Middle East, up 19 percent,
and up 9 percent for the year.
To access the 2005 monthly arrivals data for world regions and top markets,
visit
http://www.tinet.ita.doc.gov/view/m-2005-I-001/index.html.