International Visitation to the U.S. Up in Double Digits in 2010

International Visitation to the U.S. Up in Double Digits in 2010

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that for the first seven months of 2010, 33.8 million international visitors traveled to the United States, a 12 percent increase over the same period in 2009. In July 2010, 6.3 million international visitors traveled to the United States, an increase of 15 percent over July 2009. July 2010 registered the tenth straight month of increases in U.S. arrivals.

International visitors spent $76.7 billion during the first seven months of 2010, 10 percent more than the same period in 2009. In July 2010, international visitors spent $11.6 billion, 18 percent more than in July 2009. July 2010 marks the seventh consecutive month of growth in monthly U.S. travel and tourism-related exports.

In the first seven months of 2010, 17 of the top 20 countries posted increases in visitation to the United States. The United Kingdom, Venezuela and Ireland were the only countries out of the top 20 that registered declines. Visitation from 12 of the top 20 countries registered double-digit increases: Canada, Mexico, Japan, Brazil, South Korea, Australia, the People’s Republic of China, Italy, India, Colombia, Argentina and Sweden.

In July 2010, 19 of the top 20 countries posted increases in visitation. Venezuela registered the only decline, down one percent. Fifteen of the top 20 countries registered double-digit increases: Canada, Mexico, Japan, France, South Korea, Brazil, Italy, Netherlands, the People’s Republic of China, Australia, Spain, India, Switzerland, Colombia and Denmark.

Canada visitation (2.2 million) was up 16 percent in July. Visits (11.4 million) increased 13 percent YTD. In July 2010, air arrivals (473,000) were up 20 percent and land arrivals (1.7 million) were up 16 percent. YTD, air arrivals (4.2 million) were up 15 percent and land arrivals (7.1 million) were up 12 percent.

Mexico visitation (1.3 million) was up 11 percent for the month. Visits (7.8 million) increased 11 percent YTD. Air arrivals (220,000) were up 13 percent for the month and land arrivals (1.1 million) were up 10 percent. YTD, air arrivals (938,000) were up 16 percent and land arrivals (6.9 million) were up 10 percent.

Visits from South America increased 20 percent for the month and grew 21 percent YTD. In July 2010, visits from Brazil, Colombia and Argentina were up 39 percent, 25 percent and eight percent, respectively. U.S. visitation from Venezuela decreased one percent for the month. YTD, visits from Brazil increased 40 percent, visits from Colombia grew 20 percent, and visits from Argentina were up 21 percent. YTD, visits from Venezuela dropped six percent.

Visits from Central America were up five percent for the month and increased two percent YTD. Visitation from the Caribbean decreased five percent in July but grew five percent for the year. Visits from the Bahamas, the region’s top market, accounting for 20 percent of all visits, increased nine percent in July 2010. YTD visits from the Bahamas increased 13 percent.