The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced that for the first 10 months of 2010, 50.4 million international visitors traveled to the United States, an 11 percent increase over the same period in 2009. In October 2010, 5.1 million international visitors traveled to the United States, an increase of nine percent over October 2009. October 2010 registered the 13th straight month of increases in U.S. arrivals.
International visitors spent $111.5 billion during the first 10 months of 2010, 11 percent more than the same period in 2009. In October 2010, international visitors spent $11.9 billion, 18 percent more than in October 2009. October 2010 marks the 10th consecutive month of growth in U.S. travel and tourism-related exports. Total travel and tourism-related exports have increased, on average, $1.4 billion a month in 2010.
Overseas Resident Visitation
• October YTD 2010, overseas resident visits (22.2 million) were up 12 percent compared to the same period 2009.
• In October 2010, overseas resident visitation (2.5 million) was up 12 percent over October 2009.
• Compared to the first 10 months of 2008, October YTD 2010 overseas resident visits increased three percent. Compared to the first 10 months of 2000, overseas resident visits were up one percent.
• October 2010 overseas resident visits were up 13 percent compared to October 2008.
• In the first ten months of 2010, nine of the top 10 countries posted increases in visitation to the United States. October YTD 2010, the United Kingdom posted the only decline, registering a one percent decrease when compared to the same period in 2009.
• In October 2010, all top 10 countries posted increases in resident visitation for the month
Top 10
Country of Residence | % Change YTD | % Change |
Canada | 11% | 12% |
Mexico | 9% | 1% |
United Kingdom | -1% | 5% |
Japan | 18% | 10% |
Germany | 3% | 6% |
France | 11% | 20% |
Brazil | 36% | 29% |
South Korea | 52% | 71% |
Australia | 26% | 19% |
People’s Republic of China (excl Hong Kong) | 55% | 57% |
Top Ports: YTD October 2010
YTD October 2010, visitation through the top 15 ports of entry accounted for 81 percent of all overseas visits-three percentage points lower than last year. The top three ports (New York JFK, Miami and Los Angeles) accounted for 38 percent of all overseas arrivals, more than one percentage point below last year. Thirteen of the top 15 ports posted increases in arrivals during the first 10 months of 2010. Six of these ports posted double-digit increases. This upturn in the total of overseas arrivals reverses the majority of the declines registered YTD October 2009.
Access to OTTI Data
Manufacturing and Services’ Office of Travel and Tourism Industries (OTTI) collects, analyzes and disseminates international travel and tourism statistics from the U.S. Travel and Tourism Statistical System. OTTI produces visitation data tables, including a more detailed region, country and port analyses. To access this data, you are encouraged to visit the OTTI monthly arrivals page at <http://www.tinet.ita.doc.gov/view/m-2010-I-001/index.html>.
National Export Initiative
To improve conditions that directly affect the private sector’s ability to export and to boost employment recovery, on March 11, 2010 President Obama created the National Export Initiative (NEI). The automation of the arrival/departure form [CBP Form I-94W] for Visa Waiver Program travelers supports this initiative as the automated form will greatly improve the measurement of international arrival data to the United States. To learn more about the NEI, you are encouraged to visit <http://www.trade.gov/nei/index.asp>.
