U.S. Tourism Back Near pre-Recession Levels

December 16, 2003

U.S. Tourism Back Near pre-Recession Levels
December 16, 2003 – U.S. tourism increased briskly in the third quarter, coming near pre-recession and Sept. 11 levels, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Total sales in the tourism industry rose 16.2 percent to a $747.8 billion seasonally adjusted rate from $720.2 billion in the second quarter. The latest figure was only 0.5 percent below the $751.3 billion reached in the fourth quarter of 2000.

According to the government report, sales in air transportation and hotels and lodging places led the growth. Direct tourism-related sales in the air transportation industry grew by 32.1 percent in the third quarter to $98.7 billion following an 8.2 percent decline in the second quarter. Hotels and lodging places grew by 15.9 percent to $115.5 billion in the third quarter, which follows a 5.6 percent increase in the second quarter of 2003.

For more statistics, go to http://www.bea.doc.gov/bea/newsrel/tournewsrelease.htm.