For Immediate Release: July 14, 2008
Contact: Michael Brown (202) 482-3809
INTERNATIONAL VISITATION UP IN APRIL 2008
SPENDING AT $11.6 BILLION FOR THE MONTH
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced that 4.1 million international visitors traveled to the United States in April, an increase of 2 percent over April 2007. For the first four months of 2008, visitation was up 12 percent compared to 2007. International visitors also spent a record $11.6 billion in April, a 21 percent increase from April 2007. Spending by international travelers while in the United States, including travel receipts and passenger fares, is defined as a U.S. export.
“International travel and tourism constitutes a significant export industry for the United States,” said Commerce Manufacturing and Services Assistant Secretary William G. Sutton. “The U.S. continues to see record-breaking international arrivals and receipts, which is a boon to our domestic economy. Travel and tourism is one of America’s important industries and employers, supporting millions of U.S. jobs.”
Highlights of International Arrivals to the United States for April and Year-to-Date, 2008
- Overseas arrivals (excluding Canada and Mexico) increased 8 percent for the month compared to April 2007 and 9 percent year-to-date 2008.
- Visitation from Canada was up 6 percent for the month and 17 percent for the year.
- Mexican travel to the U.S. ‘interior’1 was down 27 percent in April and up 3 percent for the first four months of 2008.
- Visitation from Western Europe increased 16 percent in April and 15 percent for the year.
- Arrivals from the United Kingdom were up 11 percent in April and 7 percent for the year.
- Visitation from other top Western European markets all increased by double-digits for the month of April 2008 as well as the first four months of the year. German, French, Italian and Dutch arrivals were up 10 percent, 36 percent, 22 percent and 58 percent, respectively, in April. Also, Eastern Europe generated a 17 percent increase in arrivals for the month.
- Arrivals from South America were up 6 percent in April and 17 percent for the year.
- Although visitation from Asia was down 2 percent in April, arrivals from the PRC were up 36 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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