Latin America, comprised of the Caribbean, Central and South America and Mexico, provided 13 million visitors to the U.S. in 1997, making it the largest source of inbound travel to the U.S. The $18 billion spent in the U.S. in 1997 by Latin American travelers generated 259,000 full-time American jobs.

The following presentation made in mid-September 1998 at La Cumbre, the premiere Latin American travel trade show, highlights traveler characteristics, spending patterns, and forecast for arrivals from this important world region.

Growth from this region has been remarkable, up 31% since 1990 compared to the 21% increase in total international arrivals to the U.S. South America particularly has exhibited extraordinary growth, more than doubling (113% increase) in the eight year period. Top U.S. destinations include Florida, New York and California.

Spending by certain Latin America markets continually tops overseas markets, including Japan! Brazilians averaged $172 per person per day on their U.S. trip in 1997. Brazilians were also noted for their spending on gifts and souvenirs, topping the all competitors with average trip expenditures of $727 on gifts and souvenirs.

This annual presentation features these and other important findings, as well as projections to the year 2001.

La Cumbre 1998 Orlando

The 1997 Visitation Equation

Latin American Arivals to the U.S., 1997: Mexico Loses Share, South America Gains

Growth of Latin America's Market Share (Excluding Mexico) to the U.S.

Latin American Region Outperforms Total International Arrivals to U.S.

Total Arrivals from Mexico: The Effect of the Devalued Peso

Top Inbound Inbound Markets to the U.S.: The Importance of Mexico

Mexican Air Arrivals to the U.S.

Average Nights in the U.S. by Mexican Air Travelers

Average Expenditures of Mexican Air Travelers to the U.S.

Six Latin American Countries Outperform Overseas Arrivals

Top Destinations Visited by Latin American Travelers

Average Number of Trips to the U.S. in the Last Five Years

Share of First Time Air Travelers to the U.S.

Share of First Time Air Travelers from Key South American Markets to the U.S.

Package use by Latin American Travelers to the U.S.

Package use by South American Travelers to the U.S.

Business/Conference Travel From Key Latin American Regions

Business/Conference Travel From Key South American Markets

Rental Car Use in the U.S. by Latin American Travelers

Rental Car Use in the U.S. by South American Travelers

Average Expenditure in U.S. by Key Latin American Regions

Average Expenditure in U.S. by Key South American Markets

Average Per Person Spending by Latin American Travelers on Gifts and Souvenirs

Average Per Person Spending by South American Travelers on Gifts and Souvenirs

Use of Credit Cards for Travel Expenditures in the U.S. by Latin American Travelers

Use of Credit Cards for Travel Expenditures in the U.S. by South American Travelers

Estimated and Projections of Latin American Travel to the U.S.