The US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration released travel data for the United States in January 2016, which demonstrates that travel and tourism is still the nation’s number one services export.

International visitors spent an estimated $18.3 billion on travel to, and tourism related activities within, the United States in January 2016. Educational and health-related tourism and short-term worker expenditures accounted for $4 billion in January, an increase of more than 10 percent from January 2015.

“Today’s data show that the United States remains a desirable destination for international travelers,” Selig said. “The travel and tourism industry remains important to the nation’s economy and to American workers, annually generating nearly $1.6 trillion of economic output that supports nearly 8.1 million U.S. jobs. The Commerce Department continues to introduce new initiatives like the recently launched 2016 U.S.-China Tourism Year to support President Obama’s National Travel and Tourism Strategy goal of welcoming 100 million international visitors by 2021.”

An outcome of President Xi’s 2015 visit, the 2016 U.S.-China Tourism Year aims to increase travel and tourism between the two countries by enhancing the traveler’s experience, increasing the traveler’s cultural understanding, and expanding the traveler’s appreciation of natural landscapes in each other’s countries.

• Travel Receipts: Purchases of travel and tourism-related goods and services by international visitors traveling in the United States totaled $11.1 billion during January. Travel receipts accounted for 60 percent of total U.S. travel and tourism exports during January 2016.
• Passenger Fare Receipts: Fares received by U.S. carriers from international visitors totaled $3.3 billion for the month. Passenger fare receipts accounted for 18 percent of total U.S. travel and tourism exports during January.
• Medical/Education/Short-Term Worker: Medical tourism, education, and short-term worker receipts accounted for 22 percent of total U.S. travel and tourism exports during January 2016.

The International Trade Administration’s National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) is the central point of contact for travel and tourism issues in the federal government. The NTTO maintains close relationships with industry stakeholders, generates the primary source of economic and international travel statistics for the United States, and provides policy recommendations and coordination to support U.S. travel and tourism exports.