The U.S. Department of Commerce recently announced that international visitors spent an estimated $11.6 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the United States during the month of August—$1.6 billion more (16%) than was spent in August 2009—marking the eighth consecutive month of growth in U.S. travel and tourism exports. Total international visitor spending in the United States has increased, on average, $1.0 billion a month in 2010.
- Travel Receipts: Purchases of travel and tourism-related goods and services by international visitors traveling in the United States totaled $8.9 billion during August, an increase of 14 percent when compared to last year. These goods and services include food, lodging, recreation, gifts, entertainment, local transportation in the United States, and other items incidental to foreign travel.
- Passenger Fare Receipts: Fares received by U.S. carriers (and U.S. vessel operators) from international visitors increased by nearly 24 percent to $2.7 billion for the month, an increase of $517 million when compared to August 2009.
Americans have spent nearly $68.5 billion abroad year to date (up 4%)—resulting in a $19.8 billion trade surplus for travel and tourism through the first eight months of 2010.