US: International visitation up three percent in February 2014

In February 2014, the top inbound markets continued to be Canada and Mexico. Non-resident visits from Canada decreased two percent while visits from Mexico grew 19 percent. Japan (-18%), the United Kingdom (-1%) and Brazil (+8%)

rounded out the top five.

Of the nine⁽¹⁾ major overseas regional markets, six regions recorded increases in non-resident visits to the United States in February 2014. Three of these regions recorded double-digit increases.

For the first two months of 2014, international visits (9.5 million) were up four percent compared to the same period in 2013.

Highlights⁽²⁾

Top 10 Countries

• In February 2014, five of the top 10 countries posted increases in non-resident visits.
• During the first two months of 2014, eight of the top 10 countries (sort based on February 2014) posted increases in non-resident visits to the United States.

Top 10 Countries (Sort based on February 2014)

Non-Resident Visits from Overseas Countries

• In February 2014, non-resident visits from overseas countries (1.9 million) were down one percent over February 2013, accounting for 43 percent of total international visits to the United States.
• During the first two months of 2014, non-resident visits from overseas countries (4.2 million) were up four percent compared to the same period of 2013, accounting for 44 percent of total international visits.

Top Ports: YTD February 2014
YTD February 2014, visitation through the top 15 ports of entry accounted for 86 percent of all overseas visits-one percentage point higher than last year. The top three ports (Miami, New York JFK and Los Angeles) accounted for 42 percent of all overseas arrivals, a little more than half a percentage point more than last year. Thirteen of the top 15 ports posted increases in arrivals during the first two months of 2014. Six of these ports posted double-digit increases.

Improved 2014 Summary of International Travel to the United States (I-94 Report)
In May 2014, the National Travel and Tourism Office completed the largest upgrade since 1996 to the Summary of International Travel to the United States report. To purchase a subscription, please complete the order form by visiting http://travel.trade.gov/research/reports/i94/index.html.

This large scale revision will offer the following advantages:

Table C-Arrivals by World Region/Country of Residence

• Arrivals data from India, Ireland and Russia
• Two new combined regions: Europe and Latin America (Excl Mexico)

Table G-First Intended Address for Non-resident Arrivals

• Arrivals data from Colombia, India and the People’s Republic of China (Excl HK)
• Two new combined regions: Europe and Latin America (Excl Mexico)

Port of Entry (All Modes) Tables

• Seven new U.S. Ports: Buffalo, Champlain and Lewiston, New York as well as Peace Bridge, Port Huron, Lynden and Highgate Springs.
• Arrivals data from Saudi Arabia, Ecuador and Russia

Port of Entry (Air Only) Tables

• Five new U.S. Ports: Saipan, West Palm Beach, Kahului-Maui, New Orleans and Palm Springs
• To new regions: All Canada and All Other Foreign
• Arrivals data from Saudi Arabia, Ecuador and Russia

Access to NTTO Data
The National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) collect, analyze and disseminate international travel and tourism statistics from the U.S. Travel and Tourism Statistical System. NTTO produces visitation data tables, including a more detailed region, country and port analyses. To access these data, you are encouraged to visit the NTTO monthly arrivals page at <http://travel.trade.gov/view/m-2014-I-001/index.html>.

National Travel and Tourism Strategy
In 2012, a Task Force on Travel Competitiveness, chaired by the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior, developed the National Travel and Tourism Strategy to promote domestic and international opportunities throughout the United States and increase the U.S. market share of worldwide travel. The Tourism Policy Council, chaired by the Department of Commerce, is leading the implementation of the National Strategy through inter-agency working groups, including a Research Working Group chaired by the National Travel and Tourism Office. The I-94 Program supports the National Strategy’s call for expanded metrics on international travel to the United States. I-94 automation further supports this initiative as it greatly improves the measurement of international visitation data to the United States. To learn more about the National Strategy, you are encouraged to visit <http://travel.trade.gov/pdf/national-travel-and-tourism-strategy.pdf>. For more information on I-94 automation, please visit <www.cbp.gov>.

⁽¹⁾ The nine major overseas regions are Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Oceania, South America, Central America and the Caribbean.

⁽²⁾ Throughout this report, percent changes for international visitation to the United States for February 2014 were calculated by comparing data in February 2014 to data in February 2013. Also, percent changes posted for year to date 2014 were calculated by comparing data for January – February 2014 to data for January – February 2013.