Skift Take
A sharp increase in travel to the Middle East could be caused by increase in business travel after the slow summer months.
A total 5.1 million U.S. citizens traveled abroad in September 2014, up six percent over September 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 52.1 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 September, 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 September capturing a total 29 percent of all travel.
The greatest growth among overseas markets year-over-year was seen in the Middle East, up 20 percent, to 133,000 travelers, and the Caribbean, up 10 percent to 347,000 travelers.
U.S. travel to border nations of Mexico and Canada increased 7 percent compared to September 2013 with the most growth seen in Mexico. American visits to Mexico increased 11 percent to 1.6 million travelers, but only increased one percent to 1.2million people in Canada.
The full statistics can be found below:
Regions | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Total YTD % Change YTD | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Europe | 577,691 | 497,003 | 806,663 | 868,367 | 1,305,842 | 1,614,486 | 1,413,798 | 1,185,907 | 1,241,537 | 9,511,294 | 4.80% |
Caribbean | 498,620 | 550,203 | 705,211 | 629,774 | 624,280 | 742,860 | 821,650 | 629,224 | 347,244 | 5,549,066 | 9.80% |
Asia | 376,296 | 312,814 | 397,296 | 381,817 | 379,197 | 424,155 | 397,960 | 342,239 | 338,630 | 3,350,404 | 5.00% |
South America | 127,749 | 137,612 | 154,680 | 123,068 | 144,464 | 208,023 | 167,627 | 143,609 | 112,581 | 1,319,413 | 2.70% |
Central America | 219,192 | 225,540 | 283,108 | 213,929 | 209,012 | 301,095 | 308,557 | 206,176 | 121,158 | 2,087,767 | 9.50% |
Oceania | 51,774 | 62,658 | 60,097 | 41,314 | 46,359 | 45,003 | 48,892 | 39,913 | 38,013 | 434,023 | 4.90% |
Middle East | 140,179 | 119,192 | 140,706 | 141,744 | 162,244 | 180,874 | 148,098 | 145,620 | 133,173 | 1,311,830 | 10.70% |
Africa | 23,982 | 21,066 | 27,950 | 27,596 | 36,044 | 40,542 | 40,732 | 34,231 | 29,205 | 281,348 | 2.60% |
Total Overseas | 2,015,483 | 1,926,088 | 2,575,711 | 2,427,609 | 2,907,442 | 3,557,038 | 3,347,314 | 2,726,919 | 2,361,541 | 23,845,145 | 6.50% |
Mexico | 1,962,616 | 1,932,875 | 2,260,427 | 2,036,762 | 1,960,747 | 2,183,275 | 2,325,094 | 2,149,457 | 1,613,564 | 18,424,816 | 19.30% |
Canada | 476,583 | 509,976 | 585,887 | 713,435 | 1,070,319 | 1,509,984 | 1,902,171 | 1,940,471 | 1,121,073 | 9,829,899 | 0.30% |
North America | 2,439,199 | 2,442,851 | 2,846,314 | 2,750,197 | 3,031,066 | 3,693,259 | 4,227,265 | 4,089,928 | 2,734,637 | 28,254,715 | 11.90% |
Grand Total | 4,454,682 | 4,368,939 | 5,422,025 | 5,177,806 | 5,938,508 | 7,250,297 | 7,574,579 | 6,816,847 | 5,096,178 | 52,099,860 | 9.40% |
Monthly % Change | 7.60% | 9.30% | 6.70% | 16.70% | 14.50% | 10.40% | 10.50% | 6.30% | 7.30% |
The Daily Newsletter
Our daily coverage of the global travel industry. Written by editors and analysts from across Skift’s brands.
Have a confidential tip for Skift? Get in touch
Tags: skiftstats, usa
Photo credit: A photo of camel taken by a tourist outside of Doha, Qatar. Joey Gannon / Flickr