Washington, July 18, 2012 – For 2011, the U.S. lodging industry posted pre-tax profits of $21.6 billion – up from $18 billion in 2010 – and $137.5 billion in sales – up from $127.7 billion in 2010, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) Lodging Industry Profile (LIP), an annual statistical analysis of the industry.  This $137.5 billion contributed to an overall $813 billion in tourism sales*, with resident and international travelers’ expenditures in the U.S. estimated at $2.2 billion/day; $92.8 million/hour; $1.5 million/minute; and $25,700/second.

The percentage of international travelers to the U.S. increased four percent from 59.7 million in 2010, to a record 63.2 in 2011; arrivals from overseas travelers increased by six percent to a record 27.9 million.  The top 10 countries in terms of U.S. arrivals for 2011 were Canada (21 million), Mexico (13.4 million) the United Kingdom (3.8 million), Japan (3.2 million), Germany (1.8 million), France (1.5 million), Brazil (1.5 million), South Korea (1.1 million), China (1.1 million), and Australia (1 million).  These 10 countries accounted for 80 percent of U.S. international visitors.

“After a long economic downturn, in 2011, the lodging industry turned the corner,” said AH&LA President/CEO Joe McInerney.  “As occupancy hit 60 percent, we’re starting to see an overall rate increase, which bodes well for 2012.”

Other facts found in the LIP:

AH&LA’s LIP provides a comprehensive, easy-to-read list of these and other significant facts about the lodging, travel, and tourism industries, including employment impact; international travel statistics; and property and room breakdowns by location, rate, and size.  The complete 2012 AH&LA Lodging Industry Profile is available on AH&LA’s Information Center Webpage.

Information contained in the LIP is based on 2011 data provided by U.S. Travel Association; Bureau of Labor Statistics; STR; D.K. Shifflet & Associates, Ltd.; U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries, Bureau of Economic Analysis; Statistics Canada; and Banco de Mexico.  Figures for year-end 2012 will be available in mid- 2013.

*excludes spending on U.S. airlines by international travelers

About the AH&LA
Serving the hospitality industry for a century, AH&LA is the sole national association representing all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging industry, including individual hotel property members, hotel companies, student and faculty members, and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AH&LA provides members with national advocacy on Capitol Hill, public relations and image management, education, research and information, and other value-added services to provide bottom-line savings and ensure a positive business climate for the lodging industry. Partner state associations provide local representation and additional cost-saving benefits to members.