The U.S. Department of Commerce recently announced that international visitors spent $12.7 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the United States during the month of November - $1.1 billion more (10%) than was spent in November 2010. Travel and tourism-related exports have increased, on average, more than $1.5 billion a month in 2011 and are on pace to break the record previously set in 2008 before the onset of global economic slowdown. Despite the recent slowing of the monthly growth in tourism-related exports, the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries still expects industry-related exports to surpass $152 billion for 2011.

Travel Receipts: Purchases of travel and tourism-related goods and services by international visitors traveling in the United States totaled $9.6 billion during November, an increase of more than 8 percent 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: When compared to November 2010, U.S. passenger fare exports - fares received by U.S. carriers (and U.S. vessel operators) from international visitors - increased 16 percent to $3.1 billion for the month of November.

International visitors have spent an estimated $139.4 billion on U.S. travel and tourism-related goods and services year to date (January through November), an increase of 13 percent when compared to the same period last year.

Americans have spent nearly $101.1 billion abroad year to date (up 7%) - resulting in a $38.4 billion trade surplus for travel and tourism year to date.