International
travelers spent nearly $12 billion in the U.S. in September
According to newly released data from the Commerce Department, international
visitors traveling to the United States pumped an estimated $11.7 billion into
the U.S. economy during the month of September, up $1.7 billion compared to the
same period last year. This marks the fifth month of double-digit growth and
ninth straight month of overall growth in U.S. travel and tourism exports.
Total travel and tourism-related exports have increased, on average, $1.2
billion a month in 2010.
“Travel and tourism
continues to be one of the bright spots in our economy,” Locke said.
“Continued growth in the tourism
sector will help us achieve our goal of doubling exports over the next two
years.”
- Travel
Receipts: Purchases of travel and
tourism-related goods and services by international visitors traveling in the
United States totaled $9.0 billion during September, an increase of 15 percent
when compared to last year. These goods and services include food, lodging,
recreation, gifts, entertainment, local transportation in the United States, and
other items incidental to foreign travel.
- Passenger Fare
Receipts: Fares received by U.S.
carriers (and U.S. vessel operators) from international visitors increased by
nearly 27 percent to $2.7 billion for the month, an increase of $575 million
when compared to September 2009.
International visitors
have spent an estimated $100 billion on U.S. travel and tourism-related goods
and services year to date (January through September), an increase of 11 percent
when compared to the same period last year.
Americans have spent
nearly $77.4 billion abroad year-to-date (up four percent)—resulting in a $22.6 billion
trade surplus for travel and tourism through the first nine months of
2010.
