The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that 34.9 million international visitors traveled to the United States during the first eight months of 2008, an increase of nine percent over the same period in 2007. In August 2008, total visitation was 5.6 million, an increase of six percent over August 2007.

International visitors spent $96.3 billion from January through August 2008, an increase of 24 percent over the first eight months of 2007. In August 2008, visitors spent a record $12.7 billion, an increase of 20 percent over August 2007.

The Official International Trade Administration press release on the August 2008 international arrivals is located on the web at: http://trade.gov/press/press_releases.asp.

Highlights: August 2008 International Arrivals1 to the United States

• Year-to-date 2008, Canadian visitation grew 14 percent over the same period in 2007 driven by land arrivals, up14 percent. At the same time, air arrivals increased 12 percent.
• Arrivals from Mexico (traveling to interior2 U.S. points) decreased seven percent during the first eight months of 2008. Land arrivals decreased seven percent and air arrivals for the year were down five percent.
• Overseas (excludes Canada and Mexico) arrivals increased 8 percent in August and 10 percent year-to-date. Visitation from overseas markets has grown for 16 consecutive months.
• Visitation from Western Europe was up 19 percent for August and 18 percent year-to-date, accounting for 48 percent of overseas arrivals.

Source: TI News – An information service from Office of Travel & Tourism Industries (OTTI)