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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 13, 2004 |
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Contact: Matt
Englehart
(202) 482-3809 |
SEPTEMBER SHOWS SOLID GROWTH FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITATION
LEVELS
Commerce Numbers Reveal 13 Percent Growth For First Nine Months of
2004
The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced that 3.2 million international
visitors traveled to the United States in September 2004, an increase
of almost 7 percent over September 2003. Arrivals year-to-date totaled
29.1 million, an increase of nearly 13 percent from the same period last
year. The United States has experienced growth in visitation for 12 consecutive
months.
"Our country continues to welcome more visitors from other nations,
and that's great news for the U.S. economy," said Deputy Assistant
Secretary of Commerce for Services Douglas B. Baker. "We are encouraged
that the recovery in international arrivals has sustained itself over
the last year."
Highlights of September 2004 International Arrivals
to the United States from Top Markets
- Canadian visitation grew by almost 9 percent over September of 2003
and year-to-date was up over 9 percent for the first nine months of
2004.
- Arrivals from Mexico (traveling to interior U.S. points) increased
by 4 percent over September of 2003 and were up 6 percent for the first
nine months of 2004.
- Overseas arrivals (not including Canada and Mexico) increased by nearly
6 percent over September of 2003 and increased 16 percent for the first
nine months of 2004.
- Western European visitation levels were up almost 7 percent over September
of 2003, and up 15 percent for the first nine months of 2004.
- United Kingdom visitation increased 7 percent over September of 2003
and was up by 12 percent for the first nine months of 2004. The U.K.
remains the top overseas market for the United States.
- German arrivals were up 5 percent in September and 16 percent in the
first nine months of 2004.
- Asian visitation increased 4 percent over September of 2003 and increased
by 23 percent for the first nine months of 2004. Japanese arrivals grew
by 4 percent over September of 2003 and were up 27 percent for the first
nine months, accounting for 64 percent of all Asian visitors.
- Arrivals from South America increased by less than 1 percent over
September of 2003 and visitation was up 9 percent for the first nine
months of 2004.
- The number of travelers from Oceania increased 27 percent over September
of 2003 and visitation increased by 29 percent year-to-date. Australian
arrivals were up 30 percent over September 2003 and increased by 31
percent for the first nine 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>.
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