International Visitation to U.S. Up 11 Percent in November 2006

For Immediate Release: January 30, 2007
Contact: Matt Braud: (202) 482-3809

INTERNATIONAL VISITATION TO U.S. UP 11 PERCENT IN NOVEMBER 2006

Year-To-Date Visitation Up 6 Percent Over 2005

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that 3.3 million international visitors traveled to the United States in November 2006, an increase of 11 percent over November 2005. International visitors also spent $9.3 billion (receipts and passenger fares), up 11 percent. Visitation for the first eleven months of 2006 was up 6 percent compared to 2005 with spending up 4 percent year-to-date.

“It is encouraging to see a continued increase in visitation to the United States from emerging countries and travelers from countries requiring US visas,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Services Ana Guevara. “The United States remains an attractive destination for foreign visitors, which is good news for the U.S. economy.”

Highlights of November 2006 International Arrivals to the United States

Total International visitation was up 11 percent for November, and 6 percent for the year, accounting for the eighth straight month for increases in arrivals to the United States.
Overseas arrivals (excluding Canada and Mexico) were up 6 percent in November due to solid growth from other than the top two overseas markets – the United Kingdom and Japan. Most of the growth was experienced from overseas markets requiring U.S. visas.
Canadian visitation was up 11 percent for the month and 7 percent for the year.
Total visitation from Mexico was up 29 percent for the year, with air arrivals up 3 percent.
Western European arrivals were up 5 percent in November, slowing the trend of monthly declines in arrivals throughout 2006, while Eastern Europe travelers increased by 16 percent for the month.
Visitation from the top European markets showed improvement in November. The United Kingdom decline slowed to only 1 percent in November 2006 compared to last year. Germany arrivals posted a 6 percent growth rate for the month. Italy surged by 12 percent, offsetting previous declines, with Germany and France up by 6 percent and two percent, respectively for the month.
Visitation from Asia increased by 2 percent in November, and was down 1 percent year-to-date. Japanese arrivals dropped four percent in November contributing to its decline of four percent year-to-date. Arrivals from India, PRC/Hong Kong and South Korea all grew in November and year-to-date
Arrivals from South America grew 18 percent in November, more than 5 percent year-to-date, led by Brazil and Venezuela. Visitation from Central America grew nine percent for the month, and was flat for the year. Caribbean arrivals jumped 14 percent in November and were up 8 percent year-to-date.
Travel from Oceania declined by 8 percent in November, and year-to-date was up 3 percent. Arrivals from the region are driven by Australia, down 6 percent in November, but up 4 percent year-to-date.
Arrivals from the Middle East and Africa both increased by 15 percent respectively, in November. year-to-date, Middle East arrivals were up 4 percent. From Africa arrivals were down 1 percent.

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 on international travel to the United States, please go to: http://www.tinet.ita.doc.gov/view/m-2006-I-001/index.html.

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