U.S. Travel/Tourism Increases In Second Quarter

October 2, 2011 flight2000it

U.S. travel and tourism output increased at an annual rate of 2.6 percent in the second quarter of 2011, following an increase of 2.8 percent in the first quarter, the Commerce Department said last week.

Real spending on passenger air transportation rose 5.4 percent in the second quarter after decreasing 7.8 percent in the first quarter. Capacity utilization increased, even as prices rose to cover rising fuel costs. Real spending on traveler accommodations decreased 0.4 percent in the second quarter after gaining 15 percent in the first quarter. Overall growth in prices for travel and tourism goods and services remained high, increasing 7.3 percent in the second quarter of 2011 following an 8.5 percent increase in the first quarter. Prices for passenger air transportation continued to rise, gaining 7.9 percent in the second quarter after increasing 18.7 percent in the first quarter. Air passengers paid more in the second quarter as fuel costs continued to rise. Traveler accommodation prices increased appreciably, rising 16.7 percent in the first quarter.

Direct tourism-related employment increased 2.6 percent in the second quarter of 2011 after increasing 2.0 percent in the first quarter.