International Visitor Spending in the U.S. Down Sharply in July
U.S. travel and tourism-related exports decline for ninth consecutive month
WASHINGTON, DC, September 29, 2009 - The U.S. Department of Commerce recently announced that international visitors spent an estimated $9.6 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the United States during the month of July-nearly 24% less than visitors spent during July 2008.
Travel Receipts: Purchases of travel and tourism-related goods and services by international visitors traveling in the United States totaled $7.5 billion for the month, a decrease of more than 23% 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.
Passenger Fare Receipts: Fares received by U.S. carriers (and U.S. vessel operators) from international visitors decreased more than 26% to $2.1 billion for the month, the lowest level in more than two years.
July 2009 marks the ninth straight month in which U.S. travel and tourism-related exports were lower when compared to the same period of the previous year, having declined in November 2008 (-4%), December 2008 (-2%), January 2009 (-6%), February 2009 (-10%), March 2009 (-18%), April 2009 (-14%), May 2009 (-23%), June 2009 (-22%), and July (-24%).
Monthly Travel and Tourism Highlights:
---| Year-to-date (January-July) U.S. travel and tourism-related exports totaled $69.2 billion, down nearly 17% ($13.9 billion) when compared to 2008.
---| International visitors are not the only ones who have curtailed their spending; in fact, year-to-date U.S. travel and tourism-related imports-spending by Americans abroad- totaled $57.5 billion, down nearly 13% ($8.3 billion) when compared to last year.
---| The U.S. travel and tourism industry has generated an $11.7 billion trade surplus (i.e., exports minus imports) year to date, nearly $5.7 billion less favorable than the same period last year.
---| The recent downturn in U.S. travel and tourism exports, beginning in the closing months of 2008, interrupted more than sixty consecutive months of positive growth.
Total U.S. Travel and Tourism Exports = Travel Receipts + Passenger Fares Receipts
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
