FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
CONTACT OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
202-482-4883

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced today that international visitors spent a record-setting $13.3 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the United States during the month of July – $1.8 billion or 15 percent more than was spent in July 2010. International visitors have spent an estimated $86.9 billion on U.S. travel and tourism-related goods and services year to date (January through July), an increase of 13 percent when compared to the same period in 2010. Americans have spent nearly $63.7 billion abroad year to date (up 8 percent) - resulting in a $23.2 billion trade surplus for travel and tourism through the first half of 2011. 

“Today's numbers underline the vital role travel and tourism plays in strengthening the U.S. economy, helping to create jobs in communities across the United States,” Blank said. “The industry is also an important part of America's exports success story. Travel and tourism accounts for 26 percent of exports in services and 7 percent of all U.S. exports, and helps to achieve President Obama’s National Export Initiative goal of doubling exports by 2015.”