The overall US outbound market totalled 61.5 million in 2009, down three per cent compared to 2008. Travel to overseas regions declined two per cent, while travel to Mexico and Canada declined four per cent and seven per cent, respectively.
The top five countries in 2009, measured by US visitation, were: Mexico (19.5 million), Canada (11.7 million), the United Kingdom (2.7 million), France (1.9 million) and Italy (1.8 million).
In 2009, US travellers set records for travel to the regions of Central America, Africa and the Middle East, and to the countries of Greece, Dominican Republic, Israel and India.
Spending by US residents travelling abroad (imports) totalled USD 99.2 billion, down 12 per cent from 2008. Spending within foreign countries (travel payments) amounted to USD 73.2 billion, down eight per cent, and spending on air transportation, via foreign air carriers (passenger fare payments), totalled USD 26.0 billion in 2009, down 20 per cent. |