Real spending on travel and tourism turned up in the second quarter of 2014, increasing at an annual rate of 2.1 percent after decreasing 1.1 percent (revised) in the first quarter of 2014. Real gross domestic product (GDP) also experienced an upturn, increasing 4.2 percent (second estimate) in the second quarter after decreasing 2.1 percent in the first quarter. All major categories, with the exception of “traveler accommodations” contributed to the increase in the second quarter.
The leading contributors to the upturn in the second quarter were “recreation, entertainment, and shopping,” and “food services and drinking places.” “Recreation, entertainment, and shopping” increased 4.5 percent in the second quarter after decreasing 2.7 percent in the first quarter. “Food services and drinking places” increased 6.5 percent after decreasing 1.8 percent. “Transportation” increased as well, reflecting an upturn in “passenger air transportation” that was partly offset by a downturn “all other transportation-related commodities.” Partially offsetting these upturns, “traveler accommodations” decreased 0.8 percent in the second quarter after increasing 0.6 percent.