Tourism Industry Fully Recovered from 9-11 Attacks

One of the key contributors to the U.S. economy, the international tourism industry, has more than recovered from losses suffered after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, posting an all-time record $107.4 billion spent by foreign tourists in 2006. According to the Department of Commerce, the record tourism spending in 2006 represents a full recovery since 9-11-01, surpassing the old record of $103.1 billion set in 2000.

"We have seen full recovery in spending by visitors to the United States since September 11, surpassing the record mark set the previous year," said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Services Ana Guevara in a press release. "This is good news for the U.S. travel and tourism industry, which employed 8.3 million Americans last year."

Excluding the travel fares they paid to get here, international visitors spent $85.8 billion last year on travel and tourism-related goods and services including food, lodging, recreation, gifts, entertainment and local transportation while in the United States.

Fares received by U.S. air and sea carriers from international visitors totaled over $21.6 billion, a more than 3 percent increase over 2005.

Besides its direct monetary value, the travel and tourism industry supported 8.3 million American jobs in 2006. More people are employed by travel and tourism-related industries than are employed in the construction industry, the business and financial industries, agriculture, education, or healthcare.

The Department of Commerce is a regulatory, Cabinet-level federal agency.

Also See:
U.S. Reports Record Exports in 2006
Economic Report of the President Released
What Exactly IS the U.S. Economy? (US Economy)