International Inbound Travel to U.S. Increases in 2004

April 27, 2005

International Inbound Travel to U.S. Increases in 2004
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that more than 46 million international visitors traveled to the United States in 2004, an increase of 12 percent from 2003. This marks the first year of double-digit growth since 1992. The United States experienced growth in visitation for 15 consecutive months through December 2004.

"We will look back at 2004 as a year of significant growth in visitation to the U.S.," said Commerce Deputy Assistant Secretary for Services Douglas B. Baker. "Last year, the United States saw double-digit growth in foreign visitation for the first time in more than a decade, which added nearly $94 billion to our growing economy."

In 2004, arrivals from Mexico were up 13 percent over 2003 and Canadian inbound travel rose by 9 percent. Overseas arrivals – not including Mexico and Canada – jumped by 13 percent, led by a 28 percent increase in Australian visitors.

Total spending by international travelers within the United States increased by 17 percent from 2003. Arrivals from the United Kingdom provided the highest total travel receipts, which registered a record $12.8 billion. There was a 24 percent increase in spending by Japanese visitors, who totaled $12.4 billion.