International Tourism Brought $181 Billion to U.S. Economy in 2013
Photo Credit: Karlona Goycalves 15, from left, Maria Luiza Cavacante 14, and Camila DeSouza 17, of Brazil, shops for shoes at Sawgrass Mills mall in Sunrise, Florida, on July 16, 2012. Miami Herald/MCT / Charles Trainor Jr.
Skift Take
It's great to see the U.S. finally recognizing tourism for the economic powerhouse that it is, but the government will need invest even more in speeding visa and customs wait times as the world's newest travelers become more experienced and selective.
International visitors to the United States spent a record-breaking $180.7 billion on travel-related goods, services, and airfares in 2013, according to data released today by the National Travel & Tourism Office.
Tourism receipts increased 9 percent since 2012 and average monthly spend rose by $1.3 billion.
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