FIRST QUARTER 2005 INTERNATIONAL VISITATION LEVELS UP 13 PERCENT
Commerce Numbers Show 21 Percent Growth For March 2005, marking 18 straight months of growth

The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced that 9 million international visitors traveled to the United States during the first quarter of 2005, an increase of 13 percent over the same period in 2004. Arrivals were up by 21 percent in March compared to the previous year, the strongest month of the quarter.

"For 18 consecutive months, the United States has seen growth in international arrivals," said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Services Douglas B. Baker. "The March increase is significantly higher than the previous year, which shows we are welcoming more visitors to the United States as our economy expands."

Highlights of First Quarter 2005 International Arrivals to the United States

• Canadian visitation grew by 14 percent over March of last year, with the first quarter up 11 percent over 2004.
  
• Arrivals from Mexico (traveling to interior U.S. points) more than doubled (103 percent) in March, resulting in a 40 percent growth for the 'longer haul' Mexican traveler during the first quarter.
  
• Overseas arrivals (excluding Canada and Mexico) increased 15 percent over March of last year, with the first quarter up almost 10 percent.
  
• Visitation from Western Europe rose over 12 percent during the first quarter of 2005 with March up over 16 percent from last year.
  
• Visitation from the United Kingdom increased by 9 percent in the first quarter and was up over 13 percent in March.
  
• German arrivals were up 13 percent both for the first quarter and for March.
  
• Visitation from Asia increased almost 5 percent for the quarter. Japanese arrivals increased by over 3 percent for the quarter, accounting for over 65 percent of all Asian visitors.
  
• Arrivals from Latin America increased by double-digits for both March and first quarter. South and Central America increased by 11 and 14 percent, respectively, for the first quarter of 2005. Strong growth was noted from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. The Caribbean market grew by 16 percent in the first quarter.
  
• The number of travelers from Oceania increased 12 percent for the quarter. Australian arrivals were up 13 percent for the quarter.

To access 2005 arrivals data for world regions and top markets, visit http://tinet.ita.doc.gov/view/m-2005-I-001/index.html.