U.S. and Hong Kong (2006)

COMMERCE NEWS

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Washington, DC 20230
www.ita.doc.gov/media

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2006

Contact: Matt Englehart
(202) 482-3809

INTERNATIONAL VISITATION TO THE U.S. EXPANDS THROUGH NOVEMBER

The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced that 3 million international visitors traveled to the United States in November 2005, an increase of 8 percent over November 2004. Arrivals were also up 8 percent for the first eleven months of 2005 compared to 2004.

"The United States welcomed millions of international visitors in November of 2005, which continues an encouraging trend of expanding visitation throughout the year," said Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services Al Frink.

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

• Canadian visitation grew 5 percent over November of 2004 and 8 percent for the first eleven months of 2005 compared to 2004 (year-to-date).
• Arrivals from Mexico (traveling to interior U.S. points) were up 54 percent over November of 2004. Year-to-date arrivals were up 14 percent.
• Overseas arrivals (excluding Canada and Mexico) increased 2 percent over November of 2004 and 7 percent year-to-date.
• Visitation from Western Europe was flat compared to November of 2004, but was up 7 percent year-to-date. Spain registered double-digit growth in November arrivals. Arrivals from Eastern Europe continued to grow, up 4 percent in November and 14 percent year-to-date.
• Arrivals from the United Kingdom were down 3 percent in November, but were up 1 percent year-to-date.
• German arrivals were flat in November. In contrast, year-to-date arrivals were up 7 percent.
• Visitation from Asia increased 6 percent in November and almost 7 percent for the year. Japanese arrivals increased 5 percent for the month and were up 3 percent year-to-date. Japanese visitors accounted for 62 percent of all Asian visitors in the first eleven months of 2005. Arrivals from South Korea, the People's Republic of China/Hong Kong and India grew by double-digits in November.
• Arrivals from South America were up 4 percent in November and 10 percent year-to-date. Double-digit growth in visitation from Brazil and Colombia continued in November.
• Travel from Oceania increased 15 percent in November and 11 percent for the year. Australia registered a 16 percent increase in November and year-to-date growth of 11 percent.
• Arrivals declined in November from the Middle East, Africa, Central America and the Caribbean, but all continued to show arrivals growth levels for the year-to-date.

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.