Real spending on travel and tourism increased at an annual rate of 2.6 percent in the second quarter of 2011 after increasing 2.8 percent (revised) in the first quarter, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.


Growth in travel and tourism outpaced growth in real gross domestic product (GDP), which increased 1.0 percent in the second quarter after increasing 0.4 percent in the first quarter. The growth in real spending on tourism primarily reflected increases in total transportation and in recreation and entertainment.

Overall growth in prices for travel and tourism goods and services remained high, increasing 7.3 percent in the second quarter of 2011 following an 8.5 percent (revised) increase in the first quarter. The growth in prices for travel and tourism goods and services reflected increases in prices for traveler accommodations and for gasoline.


Real spending on passenger air transportation increased 5.4 percent in the second quarter of 2011 after decreasing 7.8 percent in the first quarter. Capacity utilization increased, even as prices rose to cover rising fuel costs. Real spending on traveler accommodations decreased 0.4 percent in the second quarter after increasing 15.0 percent in the first quarter.