Skift Take
It can be difficult to track the macro-changes in tourists' destination preferences, which is why U.S. outbound travel looks so similar in month to month, even annual, comparisons.
A total 6.8 million U.S. citizens traveled abroad in August 2014, up six percent over August 2013, according to monthly statistics released this week by the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office.
This brings U.S. citizen international travel to 47 million in the first eight months of the year.
Every month, the NTTO releases data regarding recent travel activity, including details about outbound travel from the United States. This is the most recent month for which this information is available.
Throughout August, travel to overseas locations accounted for 46 percent of U.S. outbound international travel while a slightly higher percentage, 54 percent, went no farther than Canada or Mexico.
Europe and the Caribbean remain the most popular destinations throughout the summer month capturing a total 29 percent of all travel.
The greatest growth among overseas markets year-over-year was seen in the Caribbean, up 11 percent to 629,000 travelers, and the Middle East, up 7 percent to 146,000 travelers.
U.S. travel to border nations of Mexico and Canada increased 13 percent compared to August 2013 with the most growth seen in Mexico. American visits to Mexico increased 15 percent to 2.1 million travelers, but only increased one percent to 1.9 million people in Canada.
U.S. Citizen Travel to International Regions
| Region | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | Total YTD | % Change YTD | YTD Market Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 577691 | 497003 | 806,663 | 868,367 | 1,305,842 | 1,614,486 | 1,413,798 | 1,185,907 | 8,269,757 | 4.60% | 17.60% |
| Caribbean | 498620 | 550203 | 705,211 | 629,774 | 624,280 | 742,860 | 821,650 | 629,224 | 5,201,822 | 9.90% | 11.10% |
| Asia | 376296 | 312814 | 397,296 | 381,817 | 379,197 | 424,155 | 397,960 | 342,239 | 3,011,774 | 4.70% | 6.40% |
| South America | 127749 | 137814 | 154,680 | 123,068 | 144,464 | 208,023 | 167,627 | 143,609 | 1,206,832 | 2.80% | 2.60% |
| Central America | 219192 | 225540 | 283,108 | 213,929 | 209,012 | 301,095 | 308,557 | 206,176 | 1,966,609 | 9.80% | 4.20% |
| Oceania | 51774 | 62658 | 60,097 | 41,314 | 46,359 | 45,003 | 48,892 | 39,913 | 396,010 | 5.10% | 0.80% |
| Middle East | 140179 | 119192 | 140,706 | 141,744 | 162,244 | 180,874 | 148,098 | 145,620 | 1,178,657 | 9.70% | 2.50% |
| Africa | 23982 | 21066 | 27,950 | 27,596 | 36,044 | 40,542 | 40,732 | 34,231 | 252,143 | 1.90% | 0.50% |
| Total Overseas | 2015283 | 1926088 | 2,575,711 | 2,427,609 | 2,907,442 | 3,557,038 | 3,347,314 | 2,726,919 | 21,483,604 | 6.50% | 45.70% |
| Mexico | 1962616 | 2260427 | 2,260,427 | 2,036,762 | 1,960,747 | 2,183,275 | 2,325,094 | 2,149,457 | 16,811,252 | 20.20% | 35.80% |
| Canada | 476583 | 585887 | 585,887 | 713,435 | 1,070,319 | 1,509,984 | 1,902,171 | 1,940,471 | 8,708,826 | 0.20% | 18.50% |
| North America | 2439199 | 2442851 | 2,846,314 | 2,750,197 | 3,031,066 | 3,693,259 | 4,227,265 | 4,089,928 | 25,520,078 | 12.50% | 54.30% |
| Total | 4454682 | 4368939 | 5422025 | 5177806 | 5938508 | 7250297 | 7574579 | 6816847 | 47,003,682 | 9.70% | 100% |
| Monthly Change (%) | 7.60% | 9.30% | 6.70% | 16.70% | 14.50% | 10.40% | 10.50% | 6.30% |
The Daily Newsletter
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Tags: skiftstats, usa
Photo credit: The sun rises at the Westin Cancun in Mexico. Patrick / Flickr