US DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE figures announced last week show that 9m
international visitors travelled to the USA during the first quarter
2006, an increase of just 1% over the first quarter 2005. February
visitation was up 1% while March arrivals were down almost 8% due
mostly to the seasonal shift in the Easter holiday period. (In 2005
Easter occurred March and in 2006 it was in April). Visitation from
Western Europe was down 10% for the quarter reflecting a 16% drop in
March and a 9% decline in February. Arrivals from Eastern Europe,
however, continued to grow, up 8% for the quarter and posting 31
consecutive months in arrivals growth. Arrivals from the UK were down
nearly 11% the first quarter impacted mostly from a 16% which could be
due to the late Easter or a resistance built in due to perceived (and
real) passport problems and again difficulties in passing through
security. German arrivals were also down 7% for the quarter with
February and March in double digit declines.
http://www.tinet.ita.doc.gov/view/m-2006-I-001/index.html