More than halfway through the year, U.S. tourism figures are pretty upbeat, in terms of both domestic and international travel. The latter has amounted to $112.2 billion in travel expenses, a 1 percent increase over the same period in 2014.
While experts are mulling over the many reasons for this growth, the industry is ecstatic. The travel and hospitality industry has bounced back from the recession much better than many others, and this recent boom will help consolidate that recovery.
The upsurge of international travel flow to the U.S. is a sign of healthy growth, one that will have positive ripple effects through the various ancillaries attached to travel, in the region of roughly $2.1 trillion. It will also help increase the number of jobs in all these industries, spurring further growth and development.
While Las Vegas and California still rule the roost, it is the search for offbeat places that has caught everyone's attention. For example, North Carolina recently reported a surge of international tourists flocking to Asheville and its surrounding areas. The nearby Great Smoky Mountains have been quite a popular destination for domestic tourists, but they are quickly becoming a hot international tourist spot as well.
North Carolina's state tourism department has even hinted that they might find higher figures for international travelers than the domestic travel numbers. Germany, United Kingdom and Canada lead the pack, but tourists from China and Japan are flocking in as well. While this is not their primary destination, they are penciling in the Smokies for their majestic views and incredible beauty.
Once they have soaked in the glittering lights of Vegas, the sun-filled beaches of California and Florida, the somber regality of Washington, D.C., and the indomitable charm of New York, global tourists want to see the real America. From the more popular Rockies to the Black Hills of South Dakota, from the Navajo desert heat to the booming Portland breweries, there is an all-encompassing interest for American destinations.
Tourists are no longer sticking to the major landmarks that have defined a typical American vacation. Thanks to the Internet, it is easier to research and learn more about every place on Earth faster and better, and the offbeat places of interest here in the U.S. seem to have benefited from it.
The results are evident in the numbers. International travel has grown by 3.7 percent since last year with a 6.7 percent growth in spending.
According to the U.S. Travel Association, international travelers plan a longer stay and spend more, which why global travel has been steadily outpacing the domestic numbers. Relaxed visa rules in China and South Korea have also contributed to these figures. Visa waivers from Brazil, Israel, Poland and Croatia are being encouraged and could lead to as much as a $100 million boost to the U.S. economy.
The recent change in the Canadian-American travel policy is also a big factor. Canadians can now stay in the U.S. for 240 consecutive days instead of the earlier 180-day limit.
About 60 million tourists visited from various countries last year, contributing to the 15 million travel job market. According to the U.S. Travel Association, the number of global tourists to the U.S. is likely to grow to a staggering 100 million in 2021.
Exploring America will be even easier with the creation of the North American Trusted Traveler network. Traveling between the United States, Mexico and Canada will be a completely new experience with expedited screening programs. This will provide the groundwork for deeper exploration in all three countries.
The individual governments are hopeful this will also lead to more profitable international travel and trade. Global unrest and economic shutdowns have contributed to more tourists turning to the American soil for safer travels. Florida particularly has seen a lot of redirected traffic from places in Europe and Africa. Uncertain times elsewhere have had a have a big impact on Miami and the rest of Florida.
Along with exploring offbeat places, off-season visits are increasing as well. Instead of the traditional summer and Christmas visits, 2015 will see a lot of international tourists flocking in to see the fall colors, too. Once the "gateway" cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Orlando, New York and D.C. are covered, tourists are moving on to experiencing the authentic American experience, aka small-town America.
The quintessential American charm and hospitality has blended with the rustic beauty of the landscape to draw in large crowds to smaller towns. It is not only a major boost to the economy but also a more even distribution of the travel revenue across the country.
