International travelers returning to US

Higher-spending International travelers to the US are making significant gains and are at their highest level in a decade, according to new research.

“During 2004 and 2005, international travelers to the US increased by 20.3%, the highest two-year increase since 1996,” says a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

The research company called it a “robust gain.”

Lingering travel concerns, a global economic slowdown and stricter visa immigration procedures has hampered such travel, however, the company said. But international travel to the US had other factors going for it:

v      Global economic performance has accelerated.

v      The dollar remains weak relative to most currencies. It’s forecast to continue modest declines through next year, which will continue to encourage international travelers.

v      Marketing activities by the Department of Commerce has increased awareness and developed a more positive image of the US as a tourist destination.

Said Bjorn Hanson, a principal with the Hospitality & Leisure practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP:

“International travelers have longer lengths of stay, pay higher room rates and spend more in other hotel departments including restaurants, business centers, retail outlets, communication, laundry and valet.”

A growing international market is particularly attractive to the lodging industry, which is seeing a surge in demand.

As recently as the year 2000, PricewaterhouseCoopers said, international room nights accounted for 12.8% of the total Lodging demand. That plummeted to only 9.5% in 2003.

But as of year-end, 2005, the share of international guest room nights had increased to 10.3% of total US demand.

Report by David Wilkening