The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that 4.0 million international visitors traveled to the United States in August 2004, an increase of four percent over August 2003. Arrivals for August 2004 year-to-date totaled 25.9 million, an increase of 13 percent from the same period last year.

Our country continues to welcome more visitors from other nations, and that`s great news for the U.S. economy, said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Services Douglas B. Baker. So far, every month the United States has welcomed more international travelers than in 2003.

Highlights of August 2004 International Arrivals to the United States from Top Markets

Canadian visitation grew by almost 2 percent over August of 2003 and year-to-date was up 9 percent compared to the same period last year.

Arrivals from Mexico (traveling to interior U.S. points) declined by 3 percent over August of 2003 but is up almost 7 percent for the first eight months of 2004.

Overseas arrivals (not including Canada and Mexico) increased by 8 percent over August of 2003 and increased 18 percent for the first eight months of 2004.

Western European visitation levels were up 9 percent over August of 2003, and up 17 percent for the first eight months of 2004 over 2003, supported by growth from all top markets.

United Kingdom visitation increased 6 percent over August of 2003 and was up by 13 percent for the first eight months. The U.K. remains the top overseas market for the United States. German arrivals were up 10 percent in August and 18 percent in the first eight months of 2004.

Asian visitation increased 7 percent over August of 2003 and increased by 26 percent for the first eight months of 2004. Japanese arrivals grew by 14 percent over August of 2003 and were up 31 percent for the first eight months, accounting for 63 percent of all Asian visitors.

Arrivals from South America increased 1 percent over August of 2003 and visitation was up 10 percent year-to-date. August results were mixed with Brazil down 4 percent, but Venezuela up 8 percent for the month.

The number of travelers from Oceania increased 20 percent over August of 2003 and visitation increased by 29 percent year-to-date. Australian arrivals were up 23 percent in August 2004, with year-to-date arrivals up 32 percent.