International Tourists Put the BIG Back in the Big Apple

WALTHAM, Mass., July 25, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ ----Global Insight, the world's leading company for economic and financial analysis and forecasting, today released its annual ranking of the Top 100 U.S. Tourism City Destinations for 2007. The ranking compares domestic and international tourism spending, tourism job creation, and the degree to which each city's economic vitality is dependent upon visitors. The study is part of the City Tourism Impact service offered in partnership with D.K. Shifflet & Associates, the foremost authority on U.S. travel volumes, visitor spending, and trip behavior.

New York City jumped two positions from its 2006 standing, overtaking Orlando, Florida and Las Vegas, Nevada to capture the top spot in total tourism spending. The influx of international visitors, who stay longer and spend more than their domestic counterparts, is driving Big Apple growth. In fact, New York gained about 1.5 million overseas visitors last year and increased its share of total international visitors by 3.3%. Foreign visitors also pushed up Washington, DC, Miami, Florida, Seattle, Washington, and Santa Ana/Anaheim, California, in the rankings.

"Exchange rate advantages, economic growth at home, and re-doubled promotional efforts are behind this success," said Christopher Pike, Tourism Principal at Global Insight.

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