The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced that 5.8 million international visitors traveled to the United States in September 2012, an eight percent increase over September 2011. September 2012 registered the 18th straight month of increases in total U.S. visits.

In September 2012, the top inbound markets continued to be Canada and Mexico with each market up nine percent and seven percent, respectively. Eight of the nine overseas regions were up in September 2012 (Asia +14%, South America +17%, Oceania +17%, Middle East +19%, Caribbean +6%, Central America +7%, Eastern Europe +8%, and Africa +17%) Western Europe registered the only decline, down two percent in September 2012 compared to a year ago.

For the first nine months of 2012, visitation (50.5 million) was up six percent compared to the same period in 2011.

Highlights
Overseas Resident Visitation

In September 2012, overseas resident visitation (2.8 million) was up seven percent over September 2011.
September YTD 2012, overseas resident visits (22.4 million) were up seven percent compared to the same period of 2011.
Top 10 Countries

In September 2012, eight of the top 10 countries posted increases in resident visitation.
During the first nine months of 2012, seven of the top 10 countries (sort based on September 2012) posted increases in visitation to the United States.