International Visitation Up Four Percent to U.S.A.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced that 5.6 million international visitors traveled to the United States in October 2012, a four percent increase over October 2011. October 2012 registered the 19th straight month of increases in total U.S. visits. 

Australia was the 10th ranking country, which is a good result considering its small population and long distance from the States.

In October 2012, the top inbound markets continued to be Canada and Mexico with each market up six percent and seven percent, respectively. Seven of the nine overseas regions were up in October 2012 (Asia +13%, South America +13%, Oceania +7%, Middle East +8%, Central America +1%, Eastern Europe +5%, and Africa +6%). Western Europe and the Caribbean registered the only two declines, down eight percent and four percent (respectively) in October 2012 compared to a year ago.

For the first ten months of 2012, visitation (56.0 million) was up six percent compared to the same period in 2011.


Highlights
Overseas Resident Visitation

• In October 2012, overseas resident visitation (2.6 million) was up one percent over October 2011.
• October YTD 2012, overseas resident visits (25.0 million) were up six percent compared to the same period of 2011.

Top 10 Countries

• In October 2012, seven of the top 10 countries posted increases in resident visitation.
• During the first ten months of 2012, eight of the top 10 countries (sort based on October 2012) posted increases in visitation to the United States.

Top 10 Countries (Sort based on October 2012)

Country of Residence	% Change October 2012 vs. 2011	% Change YTD October 2012 vs. 2011
Canada	6%	6%
Mexico	7%	6%
United Kingdom	-5%	-2%
Japan	13%	14%
Germany	-7%	3%
Brazil	12%	17%
France	-17%	-3%
People's Republic of China (EXCL HK)	24%	37%
South Korea	14%	8%
Australia	11%	8%