Indeed, this downturn in US travel and tourism exports, beginning in the closing months of 2008, interrupted more than sixty consecutive months of positive growth.

The US Department of Commerce recently announced that international visitors spent an estimated US$10.3 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the United States during the month of January — nearly US$310 million less (3 percent) than was spent in January 2009.

Travel Receipts Purchases of travel and tourism-related goods and services by international visitors traveling in the United States totaled US$8.1 billion during January, a decrease of nearly 1 percent in comparison with 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 US carriers (and US vessel operators) from international visitors declined more than 10 percent to US$2.3 billion for the month, a decrease of nearly US$300 million when compared to January 2009.

Autor: eTurboNews