U.S. citizen international outbound travel up eight percent in 2015

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Washington: U.S. citizen international outbound travel increased by eight percent in 2015 and annual departures totaled a record 73.5 million travelers according to U.S. Department of Commerce,National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO).

U.S. travel to overseas markets totaled 32.8 million, up seven percent for the year. Regional results were:

– Europe, 12.6 million travelers, up six percent

– Caribbean, 7.6 million travelers, up seven percent

– Asia, 4.8 million travelers, up seven percent

– Central America, 2.8 million travelers, up four percent

– Middle East, 2.0 million travelers, up 15 percent

– South America, 1.9 million travelers, up six percent

– Oceania, 643,000 travelers, up seven percent

– Africa, 351,000 travelers, down two percent

Likewise ,U.S. travel to North American markets totaled 40.7 million, up nine percent compared to 2014.

Mexico, a record 28.2 million U.S. travelers, up nine percent. Tourist (longer haul of 14.6 million) travel was the strong suit in 2015, up 15 percent. Border 1+ night travel (13.6 million) increased three percent. U.S. air travel to Mexico (8.0 million) was up 15 percent.

Canada, 12.5 million travelers, up eight percent year-over-year. Air travel (3.6 million) was up seven percent.

Annual 2015 Market Shares

U.S. travel to overseas locations accounted for 45 percent of total U.S. outbound travel, about the same as in 2014.

– Europe, a 17 percent share;

– Caribbean, a 10 percent share;

– Asia, a seven percent share;

– Central America, a four percent share;

– Middle East, a three percent share;

– South America, a three percent share;

– Oceania, a one percent share, and

– Africa, almost a one percent share

North American markets received 55 percent of all U.S. international outbound travel.U.S. travel to Mexico has a 38 percent share; and Canada, a 17 percent share.

Similarly , International air traffic to/from the U.S. totaled 209.1 million passengers in 2015, a six percent increase over 2014.

U.S. citizen travel (93.4 million) was up eight percent and comprised 45 percent of all air traffic, increasing market share. Non-U.S. citizen air travelers (115.7 million) increased by four percent with their market share at 55 percent.

U.S. airlines carried 104.6 million passengers, up two percent, with their share at 50 percent, down from 2014. Foreign flags carried 104.5 million passengers, up 10 percent from 2014.

For more information : http://travel.trade.gov   March 2016