2005 CONTINUES SOLID GROWTH IN INTERNATIONAL VISITATION LEVELS
Commerce Numbers Show 7 Percent Growth For First Two Months of 2005

The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced that 5.2 million international visitors traveled to the United States during the first two months of 2005, an increase of 7 percent over the same period in 2004. Arrivals were up by 10 percent in January and up by more than 4 percent in February.

"The United States has seen growth in visitation for 17 consecutive months," said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Services Douglas B. Baker. "This steady increase is particularly good news considering international visitors added $94 billion to the U.S. economy last year."

Highlights of February 2005 Year-to-Date International Arrivals to the United States

• Canadian visitation grew by almost 9 percent during the first two months of 2005, with January up 13 percent and February up more than 4 percent compared to 2004 levels.
  
• Arrivals from Mexico (traveling to interior U.S. points) increased almost 5 percent from the same two-month period last year, with January increasing by 8 percent and February up more than 1 percent.
  
• Overseas arrivals (excluding Canada and Mexico) increased more than 6 percent from the same two-month period last year, with January up 8 percent and February up 5 percent.
• Visitation from Western Europe rose almost 10 percent from the same two-month period last year, with January up almost 12 percent and February up 8 percent.
• Visitation from the United Kingdom increased more than 6 percent from the same two-month period last year, with January up 9 percent and February up 4 percent.
• German arrivals were up 13 percent from the same two-month period last year, with January up 10 percent and February up 16 percent.
• Visitation from Asia increased 4 percent from the same two-month period last year. Japanese arrivals increased 3 percent for the first two months, accounting for 65 percent of all Asian visitors.
  
• Arrivals from South America and Central America increased by almost 4 percent and 8 percent, respectively, for the first two months of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004.
  
• The number of travelers from Oceania increased 9 percent from the same two-month period last year, with Australian arrivals up 9 percent in the first two months.

To access 2005 arrivals data for world regions and top markets, visit http://www.tinet.ita.doc.gov/view/m-2005-I-001/index.html.