International travel to the United States will rise 4.0% in 2013, and continue experiencing strong growth through 2018, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Almost 70 million visitors will spend the night somewhere in the United States this year, and the numbers will grow 3.7% to 4.2% through 2018, for a total increase of 26%, according to the Office of Travel & Tourism Industries’ 2013 Spring Travel Forecast.
Four countries are expected to account for 68% of the projected growth: Canada (30%), China (19%), Mexico (12%), and Brazil (7%).
The top two markets, Canada and Mexico, are expected to grow 23% and 15%, respectively.
The areas with highest growth rates will be China (+229%), Saudi Arabia (191%), the Russian Federation (+79%), Brazil (+66%), Argentina (+65%), and Columbia (+54%).
Spain is the only top-40 visitor origin country forecast to decline from 2012 through 2018, though growth from Jamaica and Italy is expected to be very small.
North America will account for nearly half (42%) of the total visitor growth from 2012 to 2018, followed by Asia (29%), South America (13%), and Western Europe (8%).
The number of visitors coming from Western Europe is projected to be flat in 2013, but rise 13% over the next five years. Eastern Europe is expected to grow 5.2%-6.7%.
More information on the OTTI Travel Forecast, including data tables for the world regions, data tables for the top 40 visitor origin countries, and justification for each country forecast, including positive and negative factors that might influence travel from each country to the United States, is available at http://www.tinet.ita.doc.gov/view/f-2000-99-001/index.html.
Travel and tourism is the largest services export industry for the United States and has produced a trade surplus since 1989.
