Press Release

Gutierrez Applauds Record Summer for International Visitation and Spending

MEDDELLIN, COLOMBIA—Today the U.S. Department of Commerce announced that the summer of 2007 was a record-breaking season for international travel to the United States, with total international visitation and visitor spending surpassing previous records. Gutierrez is in Colombia leading a Congressional delegation to see the social and economic progress being made and to discuss the Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.

“These robust summer travel numbers highlight the vitality of the American travel industry. Travel and tourism produces a healthy trade surplus for the industry, strengthens the economy, and expands job growth,” said Gutierrez. “I’m optimistic about the industry’s future as we’re projected to surpass previous records in visitation and spending this year.

Last week Gutierrez released a report outlining the importance of streamlining the visas processes and travel facilitation to enhance U.S. competitiveness with regard to attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). The report identified several areas where additional attention is needed to the intersection of business visas, travel and FDI; however, during June, July, and August 14.3 million international travelers visited the United States, delivering the strongest summer on record. Total visitation for the first eight months of 2007 was up over nine percent from the same period in 2006.

International travel is one of the largest exports for the United States, ranking ahead of agricultural goods and motor vehicles. Purchases of services and goods by international travelers, including expenditures for food, lodging, recreations and gifts while in the U.S. are counted as U.S. exports. Visitor spending during the summer months totaled nearly $30.7 billion in 2007, which is a 14 percent increase over the summer of 2006. Each summer month exceeded the previous month setting a new record in 2007.

International visitors also spent $78.4 billion year-to-date, up eleven percent from the first eight months in 2006. Travel and tourism represents the top services export for the United States and has produced a travel balance of trade surplus since 1989.

For more information about the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries (OTTI’s) please visit http://tinet.ita.doc.gov.