Commerce Deputy Secretary Celebrates National Tourism Week by Announcing $1.2 Trillion in Tourism-Related Sales in 2006 WASHINGTON—U.S. Commerce Deputy Secretary David A. Sampson today celebrated National Tourism Week by announcing that tourism-related sales totaled a record $1.2 trillion in 2006. In addition, 2.9 million international visitors traveled to the United States in February, an increase of nine percent over February 2006. International visitors also spent $9.2 billion during the month, up eight percent.
“The United States remains a popular tourist destination for international visitors and the industry is breaking records,” said Sampson. “U.S. travel and tourism ended 2006 strongly and it looks like the momentum is continuing into 2007. This is good news for the U.S. economy and the many jobs the U.S. travel and tourism industry supports.” Travel and tourism represents the top services export for the United States and has produced a travel balance of trade surplus since 1989. Exports in this industry are defined as travel-related purchases made here in the United States by international visitors.
For additional information on international travel to the United States, including the top markets and regional data, please go to: http://www.tinet.ita.doc.gov/view/m-2007-I-001/index.html Fact Sheet: 2006 Year-End Travel
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce
