JUNE SHOWS DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITATION LEVELS
Commerce Numbers Reveal 16 Percent Growth For First Six Months of 2004

The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced that 3.1 million international visitors traveled to the United States in June 2004, an increase of 13 percent over June 2003. Arrivals for June 2004 year-to-date totaled 17.6 million, an increase of 16 percent from the same period last year.

"Travelers from all over the world are visiting the United States in higher numbers compared to last year," said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Services Douglas B. Baker. "This provides a tremendous boost to the U.S. economy as well as the U.S. travel and tourism industry."

Highlights of June 2004 International Arrivals to the United States from Top Markets

• Overseas arrivals (not inclusive of Canada and Mexico) increased by 24 percent over June of 2003 and increased 21 percent for the first six months of 2004. Following a trend set early in the year positive contributions were noted from all world regions.
  
• Asian visitation increased 43 percent over June of 2003 and increased by 32 percent for the first six months of 2004. Japanese arrivals grew by 55 percent in June and were up 36 percent for the first six months, accounting for almost two-thirds of all Asian visitors.
  
• Western European visitation levels were up 17 percent in June, and up 18 percent for the first six months of 2004 over 2003, supported by growth from all top markets.
  
• United Kingdom visitation increased 11 percent over June of 2003 and was up by almost 14 percent for the first six months. This growth maintains the U.K. as the top overseas market for the United States.
  
• German visitation increased by 17 percent compared to June of 2003 and was up 21 percent year-to-date 2004 over 2003.
  
• Arrivals from South America increased 16 percent over June of 2003, led by Venezuela and Colombia, which were up 22 percent and 20 percent, respectively, for the month. South American visitation was up 12 percent year-to-date.
  
• The number of travelers from Oceania increased 47 percent over June of 2003, with Australian arrivals up 50 percent. Oceania year-to-date visitation increased by 33 percent.
  
• Canadian visitation declined by nearly two percent over June of 2003, however, year-to-date was up 12 percent compared to the same period last year.
  
• Arrivals from Mexico (traveling to interior U.S. points) grew by six percent over June of 2003 and eight percent for the first six months of 2004.

To access 2004 arrivals data for world regions and top markets, visit
http://tinet.ita.doc.gov/view/m-2004-I-001/index.html