U.S. and Hong Kong (2005)

COMMERCE NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2005

Contact: Matt Englehart
(202) 482-3809

INTERNATIONAL VISITATION TO THE U.S. GROWS THROUGH SEPTEMBER

The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced that 3.5 million international visitors traveled to the United States in September 2005, an increase of almost 9 percent over September 2004. Arrivals were up 8 percent for the first nine months of 2005 compared to 2004.

"International visitation to the United States continued to expand through September of 2005, including growth from all major world regions," said Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services Al Frink. "That is good news, because visitors to the United States annually add billions of dollars to our economy."

Highlights of September 2005 and Year-to-Date International Arrivals to the United States

Canadian visitation grew 7 percent over September of 2004 and 9 percent for the first nine months of 2005 compared to 2004 (year-to-date).

Arrivals from Mexico (traveling to interior U.S. points) were up 15 percent over September of 2004. Year-to-date arrivals were up 10 percent.

Overseas arrivals (excluding Canada and Mexico) increased 9 percent over September of 2004 and by 7 percent year-to-date.

Visitation from Western Europe grew 8 percent over September of 2004 and was up 7 percent year-to-date. Double-digit growth in September arrivals was noted from France, Italy, Spain and Sweden. Arrivals from Eastern Europe continued to grow, up 20 percent for September.

Arrivals from the United Kingdom increased by 4 percent over September of 2004 and arrivals were up 1 percent for the first nine months of 2005.

German arrivals were up 9 percent in September and year-to-date arrivals were up 8 percent.

Visitation from Asia increased 6 percent for September and also for the year. Japanese arrivals increased almost 3 percent for the month and were also up 3 percent year-to-date. Japanese visitors accounted for 62 percent of all Asian visitors in the first nine months of 2005. Arrivals from South Korea and the People's Republic of China/Hong Kong grew by double-digits in September.

Arrivals from South America were up 15 percent in September and 12 percent year-to-date. Double-digit growth in visitation was recorded from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela in September.

Travel from Oceania increased 16 percent in September and 11 percent for the year. Australia registered a 17 percent increase over September 2004 and 11 percent year-to-date.

Arrivals also grew in September from the Middle East, up 9 percent, from Africa, up 2 percent, from Central America, up 2 percent, and from the Caribbean, up 15 percent.

To access the 2005 monthly arrivals data for world regions and top markets, visit
http://www.tinet.ita.doc.gov/view/m-2005-I-001/index.html.