SEPTEMBER SHOWS SOLID GROWTH FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITATION LEVELS
Commerce Numbers Reveal 13 Percent Growth For First Nine Months of 2004

The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced that 3.2 million international visitors traveled to the United States in September 2004, an increase of almost 7 percent over September 2003. Arrivals year-to-date totaled 29.1 million, an increase of nearly 13 percent from the same period last year. The United States has experienced growth in visitation for 12 consecutive months.

"Our country continues to welcome more visitors from other nations, and that's great news for the U.S. economy," said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Services Douglas B. Baker. "We are encouraged that the recovery in international arrivals has sustained itself over the last year."

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

• Canadian visitation grew by almost 9 percent over September of 2003 and year-to-date was up over 9 percent for the first nine months of 2004.
  
• Arrivals from Mexico (traveling to interior U.S. points) increased by 4 percent over September of 2003 and were up 6 percent for the first nine months of 2004.
  
• Overseas arrivals (not including Canada and Mexico) increased by nearly 6 percent over September of 2003 and increased 16 percent for the first nine months of 2004.
  
• Western European visitation levels were up almost 7 percent over September of 2003, and up 15 percent for the first nine months of 2004.
  
• United Kingdom visitation increased 7 percent over September of 2003 and was up by 12 percent for the first nine months of 2004. The U.K. remains the top overseas market for the United States.
  
• German arrivals were up 5 percent in September and 16 percent in the first nine months of 2004.
  
• Asian visitation increased 4 percent over September of 2003 and increased by 23 percent for the first nine months of 2004. Japanese arrivals grew by 4 percent over September of 2003 and were up 27 percent for the first nine months, accounting for 64 percent of all Asian visitors.
  
• Arrivals from South America increased by less than 1 percent over September of 2003 and visitation was up 9 percent for the first nine months of 2004.
  
• The number of travelers from Oceania increased 27 percent over September of 2003 and visitation increased by 29 percent year-to-date. Australian arrivals were up 30 percent over September 2003 and increased by 31 percent for the first nine 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>.