The U.S. Department of Commerce reports that international visitors spent an estimated $112.2 billion for the first six months of 2015, up approximately 1 percent over January-June 2014. Total spend rises to $127.3 billion for the first seven months.
Conversely, U.S. resident spending abroad is up nearly 7% during the same period (January through June), totaling about $76.1 billion on imported travel and tourism-related goods and services, and reaching $89.4 billion in the January-July period.
International visitors spent $18.7 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the United States during the month of June, a slight increase when compared to June 2014.
Of this amount, Travel Receipts–travel and tourism-related goods and services, totaled $11.6 billion during June, an increase of 2% when compared to last year. These goods and services include food, lodging, recreation, gifts, entertainment, local transportation in the United States, and other items incidental to foreign travel. Travel receipts accounted for slightly more than 62% percent of total U.S. travel and tourism exports during June 2015.
In July, international visitors spent on travel to, and tourism- related activities within, the United States was estimated at $18.1 billion, up 1 percent compared to July 2014. The price of passenger air transportation – declining nearly 10% in Q1 2015 – continues to decline as fuel prices fall, ultimately leading to a 13% decline in nonresident passenger fare receipts.
