US visitor arrival numbers set new record

www.commerce.gov

In 2008, 58 million visitors from overseas entered the U.S., a record number and an increase of approximately four percent over the previous year, according to U.S. Department of Commerce statistics. Of the top 25 arrivals markets, 13 broke records that had previously been set.

In December, monthly visitor arrivals reached 3.9 million, which was down by seven percent compared with the same month in 2007. Total arrivals for the fourth quarter of 2008 fell by six percent.

Figures for 2008 reflect a shift from the first nine months to the fourth quarter. From January through September, of the top 20 arrivals markets, 17 reported increases. Canada grew at double-digit rates, but arrivals from Mexico declined. Overseas arrivals from all other countries were up by nine percent on average through the nine-month period. Only two regions internationally reported declines through September.

In the fourth quarter, there was a shift in the pattern, with only 12 of the top 20 markets showing growth. Canada and Mexico both reported declines in arrival numbers, and on average, all overseas markets showed a decline of nearly three percent. Of the nine regions that are tracked monthly, five reported declines in arrival numbers.

www.commerce.gov