A record-breaking year for USA visitations

Overall figures from the U.S. Department of Commerce for 2007 reflect a worldwide increase of 11.1 percent over last year, following a sharp upturn in the fourth quarter more than 15% ahead of the same period in 2006. For the month of December, arrivals were up 14%.

Western Europe showed great strength this year, tracking above average at 12.6% better than 2006 and 16.5% up in the 4^th quarter alone. The largest European market, the UK, had a robust finish to the year, up almost 8% overall and almost 14% in the fourth quarter. Germany, the #2 market in Europe-USA, did a little better than the UK, up 10% for the year and 14.8% in Q4, but – as in 2006 - it was smaller Western European economies that had the most profound growth this year in USA travel. Along with Sweden, markets such as France, Spain and Italy all exceeded the Western Europe average.

Sweden traffic to the USA continued on its record pace, up almost 30% in December, and 23.7% in the 4^th quarter, ending the year 18.0% over 2006. Interestingly, with 16 consecutive months of growth over SMLY (Same Month Last Year), the pace in the second half of 2007 actually accelerated, signifying a high level of purchase of USA travel product. The 337,000+ USA arrivals from Sweden in 2007 represent an almost one-third increase since 2004 and are a record for this country.