Traveler spending in US increased in 2008

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Recently released statistics are showing that although the number of visitors to the US increased only slightly last year, the amount that they spent over the 12-month period reached a record high. The dollar’s low value in the first half of the year offered a helping hand, according to industry experts.

Visitors from abroad spent $142.1 billion on travel to the US and tourism-related activities during their stay in 2008, which was an increase of 16 per cent over the previous year, according to the Office of Travel & Tourism Industries (OTTI).

“Purchases of travel and tourism-related goods and services by international visitors traveling in the United States totaled $110.5 billion for the year, an increase of 14% over 2007,” the OTTI said, adding: “These goods and services include food, lodging, recreation, gifts, entertainment, local transportation in the United States, and other items incidental to foreign travel.”

The tourism group noted that during the first half of 2008 the strong growth offset the “dramatic downturn” which was seen in second half of the year, as global economies slowed. Spending fell by 10 per cent in the fourth quarter alone, when compared to the same months in the previous year.

The four biggest spenders when visiting the US are travelers from Canada, the UK, Japan, and Germany, shelling out US$18.7 billion, US$17.5 billion, US$15.1 billion and US$6.5 billion, respectively.

Thanks to www.etravelblackboard.us for the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.

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