US Sets All-time Tourism Record in 2007

Apparently fully recovered from its horrid slump following the 9-11 attacks, the U.S. travel industry recorded an all-time record high for international tourism to the United States during 2007, according to the Department of Commerce.

A record 56.7 million international visitors poured $122.7 billion into the U.S. economy and helped to support some 8.5 million American jobs during 2007. The amount spent by international visitors in 2007 represented an increase of nearly 14 percent over the previous record set in 2006 and a 53 percent increase from the low numbers following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Where did they come from? The top 10 countries for visitors to the US in 2007 were:

1. Canada—17,735,000
2. Mexico—15,089,000
3. United Kingdom—4,497,858
4. Japan—3,531,489
5. Germany—1,524,151
6. France—997,506
7. South Korea—806,175
8. Australia—669,536
9. Brazil—639,431
10. Italy— 634,152

Spending by international travelers while in the U.S., including passenger fares, is defined as a U.S. export.

Also See: Tourism Industry Fully Recovered from 9-11 Attacks