OCTOBER SHOWS SOLID GROWTH FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITATION LEVELS
Commerce Numbers Reveal 12 Percent Growth For First Ten Months of 2004

The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced that 3.1 million international visitors traveled to the United States in October 2004, an increase of almost 7 percent over October 2003. Arrivals year-to-date totaled 32.2 million, an increase of 12 percent from the same period last year. The United States has experienced growth in visitation for 13 successive months.

"The recovery in international visitation to the United States has now sustained itself for more than a year," said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Services Douglas B. Baker. "For 13 consecutive months, foreign visitors have provided a significant, welcome boost to the U.S. economy."

Highlights of October 2004 International Arrivals to the United States from Top Markets

• Canadian visitation grew by 11 percent over October of 2003, and year-to-date visitation was up more than 9 percent for the first 10 months of 2004.
• Arrivals from Mexico (traveling to interior U.S. points) increased almost 11 percent over October of 2003 and were up almost 7 percent for the first ten months of 2004.
• Overseas arrivals (not including Canada and Mexico) increased nearly 4 percent over October of 2003 and increased 15 percent for the first 10 months of 2004.
• Western European visitation levels rose almost 4 percent over October of 2003 and 14 percent for the first 10 months of 2004.
• United Kingdom visitation increased more than 1 percent over October of 2003 and was up by 11 percent for the first ten months of 2004. The U.K. remains the top overseas arrival market for the United States.
• German arrivals were up 3 percent over October of 2003 and 14 percent for the first 10 months of 2004.
• Asian visitation increased 3 percent over October of 2003 and increased by 20 percent for the first 10 months of 2004. Japanese arrivals increased 3 percent over October of 2003 and 24 percent for the first 10 months of 2004, accounting for 64 percent of all Asian visitors.
• Arrivals from South America increased by 8 percent over October of 2003 and were up 9 percent for the first 10 months of 2004.
• The number of travelers from Oceania increased 20 percent over October of 2003, and visitation increased 28 percent year-to-date. Australian arrivals were up almost 25 percent over October 2003 and increased 31 percent for the first 10 months of 2004.

To access 2004 arrivals data for world regions and top markets, visit
http://tinet.ita.doc.gov/view/m-2004-I-001/index.html.