International Arrivals to The U.S. Hit Double-Digits

May 10, 2004

International Arrivals to The U.S. Hit Double-Digits
May 10, 2004 – The Office of Travel & Tourism Industries reports that the United States welcomed 2.5 million international visitors in February. This is a 13 percent increase over February 2003 and an 11 percent increase from 2002. In addition, the February results also reflect the fifth consecutive month of positive growth, making February 2004 year-to-date up seven percent overall.

All regions showed positive growth in February 2004. Some numbers include:

Overseas arrivals (not including Canada and Mexico) were up 11 percent, totaling 1.4 million.
Western Europe was up 10 percent for the month, due to significant growth in arrivals from all countries.
Asian visitation also grew 11 percent in February.
Latin American visitation was up for the first time since 2002, with South and Central America having increased by 16 and six percent, respectively.
Arrivals from the Caribbean were up by 17 percent.
North American (Canada and Mexico) visitation was up with Canadian visitation having increased by 15 percent and Mexican arrivals up almost 17 percent.
Canadian arrivals totaled 884,154, up 15 percent for February and seven percent year-to-date.
Arrivals from Mexico (219,639 traveling to interior U.S. points) grew by almost 17 percent for the month and three percent year-to-date.
United Kingdom visitation increased by seven percent in February, with 300,000 arrivals. This marked the 12th monthly increase in the last thirteen months.
Top port overseas arrivals for February year-to-date, were up eight percent, the same as the increase in all overseas arrivals.
Eleven of the top fifteen airports posted increased arrivals.
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