FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
202-482-4883
The
U.S. Department of Commerce announced today that international visitors spent a
record-setting $13.3 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities
within, the United States during the month of July – $1.8 billion or 15 percent
more than was spent in July 2010. International visitors have spent an
estimated $86.9 billion on U.S. travel and tourism-related goods and services
year to date (January through July), an increase of 13 percent when compared to
the same period in 2010. Americans have spent nearly $63.7 billion abroad year
to date (up 8 percent) - resulting in a $23.2 billion trade surplus for travel and
tourism through the first half of 2011.
“Today's numbers underline the vital role travel and tourism plays in
strengthening the U.S. economy, helping to create jobs in communities across
the United States,” Blank said. “The industry is also an important part of
America's exports success story. Travel and tourism accounts for 26
percent of exports in services and 7 percent of all U.S. exports, and helps to
achieve President Obama’s National Export Initiative goal of doubling exports
by 2015.”