The international travel industry is vital to the U.S. economy. In 2006 the United States welcomed almost 51 million international visitors. These visitors spent a record $108 billion on travel and tourism-related goods and services, positioning international travel as one of the country’s largest service exports. Economic impact aside, international visitation also presents the United States with a tremendous opportunity to show people from near and far what defines this country and what makes our culture unique.

According to the UNWTO, global tourism set a new record in 2006, with 842 million arrivals worldwide and global tourism-related spending reaching $735 billion. The United States leads the world in global tourism receipts and is ranked third among world destinations in terms of visitation. The United States’ share of world arrivals has been steady for the last three years (6.1%). The United States is on pace to set a new record for international arrivals and spending in 2007.