Real spending on travel and tourism accelerated in the fourth quarter of 2013, increasing at an annual rate of 4.2 percent after increasing 3.1 percent (revised) in the third quarter of 2013.
Real Tourism Spending. Real spending on “traveler accommodations” accelerated, increasing 14.5 percent in the fourth quarter after increasing 3.3 percent in the third quarter. The increase was primarily driven by group and corporate revenue growth. Real spending on “food services and drinking places” also accelerated, increasing 7.7 percent in the fourth quarter after no change in the third quarter.
Tourism Prices. Prices for “traveler accommodations” decreased 8.0 percent in the fourth quarter, after decreasing 3.0 percent in the third quarter. In contrast, prices for “passenger air transportation” accelerated, increasing 7.9 percent in the fourth quarter after increasing 5.7 percent in the third quarter. Strong holiday demand was reflected by an increase in passenger unit revenue.
Tourism Employment. Employment in the travel and tourism industries accelerated in the fourth quarter, increasing 2.8 percent after increasing 1.8 percent in the third quarter. The primary contributors to the acceleration in employment were increases in “recreation, entertainment, and shopping” and “transportation.”
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