trade.gov - International Visitation to the U.S. Continues Growth into 2006

For Immediate Release:April 27, 2006
Contact: Matt Englehart (202) 482-3809

INTERNATIONAL VISITATION TO THE U.S. CONTINUES GROWTH INTO 2006

The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced that 2.9 million international visitors traveled to the United States in January 2006, an increase of 11 percent over January 2005.

“As we approach National Tourism Week, it is encouraging to see a continuing trend of increased visitation to the United States,” said Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services Al Frink. “In 2005, we recorded the second-highest number of visitors in U.S. history, and those visitors spent record dollars during their stays.”

Highlights of January 2006 International Arrivals to the United States

Canadian visitation grew 11 percent over January of 2005.
Arrivals from Mexico (traveling to interior U.S. points) were up 43 percent when compared to the same month in 2005.
Overseas arrivals (excluding Canada and Mexico) increased 6 percent over January of 2005. Arrivals from the overseas have posted 28 consecutive months of growth.
Visitation from Western Europe was down almost 2 percent compared to January 2005. Arrivals from Eastern Europe continued its double-digit growth when compared to 2005, up 13 percent in January. Eastern Europe has also posted 29 consecutive months in arrivals growth.
Arrivals from the United Kingdom were down nearly 6 percent in January. Visitors from the U.K. accounted for 42 percent of all Western European arrivals.
German arrivals were up 9 percent for the month.
Visitation from Asia increased 10 percent in January. Japanese arrivals increased 6 percent for the month and accounted for 59 percent of all Asian visitors. Arrivals from South Korea, the People’s Republic of China/Hong Kong, Taiwan and India grew by double-digits in January.
Arrivals from South America were up 18 percent in January. Double-digit growth in visitation from Argentina, Brazil and Colombia were noted for the month. Brazil is the top arrivals market for South America, accounting for 37 percent of arrivals from the region.
Travel from Oceania increased 9 percent in January with Australia registering a 7 percent increase. Australia accounted for 82 percent of all arrivals from Oceania in January 2006. Both Australia and Oceania have posted 27 consecutive months of arrivals growth.
Arrivals in January from the Middle East increased by double-digits. Visitation from Africa, Central America and the Caribbean also reflected growth for the month.

To access the 2006 monthly arrivals data for world regions and top markets, visit http://www.tinet.ita.doc.gov/view/m-2006-I-001/index.html.

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