2012 Release on International Visitation to the United States

The U.S. Department of Commerce  released its 2012 report on International Visitation to the United States, which is now available on the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries website.

The report on 2012 International Visitation to the United States includes a brief analysis, 12 separate tables, charts and graphs outlining international visitor volume data for the following:

·  Total International Arrivals

·  Top Overseas Regions

·  Top 50 Markets

·  Comparison of Pleasure to Business Visitors

·  Top Ports-of-Entry

Highlights from the 2012 International Visitation to the United States Report

·  2012 international visitation sets a new record to support the National Export Initiative.

·  The United States welcomed 67 million international visitors in 2012, four million more than the year before-a seven percent increase over 2011.

·  In 2012, the top inbound markets continued to be Canada and Mexico.

o        Non-resident visits from Canada grew six percent, which set a new record in 2012.

o        Mexico, with a record 14.5 million visits, grew eight percent.

·  Five of the top inbound overseas regional markets posted a record level of visits to the United States.

o        Asia grew 15 percent;

o        South America jumped 18 percent;

o        Oceana expanded six percent;

o        Middle East increased 14 percent;

o        Eastern Europe grew eight percent; and

o        Africa was up 14 percent.

·  Visitation from Western Europe dropped two percent partly due to declining visits from the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Spain.

·  Visits from Japan, the People's Republic of China (excluding Hong Kong) and South Korea spurred Asia to post a 15 percent increase for the year.

·  Annual overseas arrivals (excluding Canada and Mexico) totaled 29.8 million during 2012, up seven percent from 2011.

o        In 2012, travel from overseas markets accounted for 44 percent of total arrivals to the United States.

o        Twenty-two of the top 50 overseas markets set new visitation records in 2012.

To view or download a PDF version of the report, go to:
<http://www.tinet.ita.doc.gov/outreachpages/inbound.general_information.inbound_overview.html