US tourism growth continues

New data from the U.S. Department of Commerce shows that international visitors spent an estimated US$12 billion on travel to and tourism-related activities in the United States during January, an increase of nearly US$890 million or 7% over spending in January 2011. US spending abroad also grew in January, up 5% over January 2011. According to officials, as a result of exports (international visitation) exceeding imports (US travel abroad), the US experienced a favourable balance of trade for January 2012 – a surplus of US$3.4 billion.