2011Q1-4 International Visitation to
the Regions in the State of Georgia
By Jennifer Driscoll and Barry Pitegoff
June 2012
Note
Unless indicated otherwise, estimates of visitor volume and expenditures presented in
this report are based on and extrapolated from aggregate card usage data provided by
VisaVue® Travel for the 2011 Q1 – Q4 period and incorporates data from other
independent research sources.
Overview
To understand international visitation to Georgia below the statewide level, five regions
were defined in the state. International visitation, as defined here, does not include
visitors from Canada. This regional report is presented in the order of estimated visitor
volume to each region, from largest to smallest, for the combined data for 2011 Q1 –
Q4. Since the estimate for international visitation to all of Georgia for the same time
period is 1,057,000 there is a clear implication that some visitors traveled to more than
one region. Therefore, it is important to note that visitors to each region cannot simply
be summed for a total to the state.
International Visitation and Spending
By Region of Georgia
2011 Q1-Q4
Spending /
REGION
Volume Spending Visitor
Atlanta Metro
898,000
$370.5M
$413
Hartsfield Airport
233,000
$18.8M
$81
Georgia Mountains
111,000
$41.1M
$371
Middle Georgia
82,000
$39.8M
$485
Coast
66,000
$29.2M
$443
Source: VisaVue® Travel (plus other estimators)
Top Countries of Origin of International Visitors
To The Regions of the State of Georgia
(Excluding Canada)
2011 Q1-Q4
ATLANTA
HARTSFIELD
GEORGIA
METRO
AIRPORT
MOUNTAINS
United Kingdom United Kingdom
South Korea
Brazil
Mexico
United Kingdom
South Korea
Brazil
China/H.K.
Mexico
Germany
Brazil
Germany
South Korea
Germany
Source: VisaVue® Travel (plus other estimators)
MIDDLE
GEORGIA
United Kingdom
South Korea
Germany
Japan
China/H.K.
COAST
United Kingdom
Germany
Australia
China/H.K.
France
2
Atlanta Metro
Atlanta Metro Volume
During 2011 (Q1-4), the Atlanta Metro Region had visitors from 166 different countries
around the world (excluding Canada). Total visitors for these four quarters combined
equaled 898,000, a 6.7 percent increase from 2010. This equates to 85% of all
international visitors to Georgia during this time interval having spent some time in the
Atlanta Metro Region.
Top countries of origin visiting the Atlanta Metro Region include the United Kingdom,
Brazil, South Korea, Mexico, and Germany. These top five countries of origin account
for 37 percent of total visitation to the Atlanta Metro Region. With 166 countries of
origin, many countries account for very little in the total while others have a larger share.
The top 15 countries account for 69 percent of total visitors to the Atlanta Metro Region
in the 2011Q1-4 time period.
Top Countries of Origin by Volume
Atlanta Metro Region 2011Q1-4
Country
United Kingdom
Brazil
South Korea
Mexico
Germany
France
Japan
Australia
China/Hong Kong
Spain
India
Italy
Sweden
Denmark
Ireland
TOTAL COUNTRIES
2010
Volume
2011
Volume
101,000
56,000
57,000
44,000
49,000
41,000
48,000
32,000
29,000
23,000
24,000
23,000
18,000
20,000
13,000
842,000
106,000
61,000
60,000
55,000
51,000
47,000
47,000
39,000
37,000
26,000
24,000
24,000
19,000
14,000
14,000
898,000
% Change
5%
9%
5%
25%
4%
15%
-2%
22%
28%
13%
0%
4%
6%
-30%
8%
7%
Source: VisaVue® Travel (plus other estimators)
3
Atlanta Metro Spending
For 2011 quarters one through four, more than $370 million was spent in the Atlanta
Metro Region of Georgia by visitors from international origins (excluding Canada). That
equates to about $413 being spent per person on their visit while in the Atlanta Metro
Region of Georgia.
Top countries of origin for spending in Georgia are similar to those for volume with one
major exception. India was number 11 in the top 15 countries of origin to the Atlanta
Metro Region in volume; however, India is the number four country to this region in
spending. The United Kingdom, South Korea, Brazil, India, and Japan comprise the top
five. They total 36 percent of total spending while in the Atlanta Metro Region of
Georgia.
Top Spending by Country of Origin
Atlanta Metro Region 2011Q1-4
Country
United Kingdom
South Korea
Brazil
India
China / Hong Kong
Japan
Mexico
France
Germany
Australia
Nigeria
Venezuela
Bahamas
Russian Federation
Bermuda
TOTAL COUNTRIES
2010
Spending
2011
Spending
$39.1M
$23.9M
$22.3M
$21.3M
$13.7M
$19.5M
$13.3M
$14.9M
$13.0M
$9.2M
$6.1M
$4.7M
$6.2M
$5.5M
$7.1M
$347.4M
$39.6M
$26.1M
$24.9M
$21.0M
$19.9M
$18.9M
$15.4M
$14.4M
$13.1M
$10.1M
$8.6M
$7.2M
$6.5M
$6.3M
$6.1M
$370.5M
% Change
1%
9%
12%
-1%
45%
-3%
16%
-4%
1%
10%
42%
53%
5%
15%
-14%
7%
Source: VisaVue® Travel (plus other estimators)
4
Hartsfield Airport Region
Hartsfield Airport Region Volume
In 2011 (Q1-4), the Hartsfield Airport Region had visitors from 155 different countries
around the world (excluding Canada). Total visitors for these four quarters combined
equaled 233,000. These 233,000 international visitors to the Hartsfield Airport Region
are part of the 898,000 visitors to the Metro Atlanta Region. Of course, these
international visitors to the Hartsfield Airport Region could also have gone elsewhere in
the Metro Atlanta Region or elsewhere in Georgia. It is reasonable to assume that the
estimate of 233,000 visitors to the Hartsfield Airport Region is somewhat of an
understatement. International visitors who passed though Hartsfield Airport and did not
spend money may not be captured. Those passengers that might be in a hurry to
change planes or leave the airport would fall into this category. Spending in this region
is substantial none the less.
Top countries of origin visiting the Hartsfield Airport Region include the United Kingdom,
Mexico, Brazil, Germany, and South Korea. These top five countries of origin account
for 41 percent of total visitation to the Hartsfield Airport Region. With 155 countries of
origin, many countries account for very little, making the percent drop down significantly
after the top 15 countries or so. The top 15 countries account for 70 percent of total
visitors to the Hartsfield Airport Region in the 2011Q1-4 time period.
Top Countries of Origin by Volume
Hartsfield Airport Region 2011Q1-4
Country
United Kingdom
Mexico
Brazil
Germany
South Korea
France
Spain
Japan
Italy
China / Hong Kong
Australia
India
Denmark
Sweden
Belgium
TOTAL COUNTRIES
2010
Volume
2011
Volume
24,000
15,000
18,000
17,000
14,000
10,000
9,000
9,000
8,000
6,000
3,000
7,000
8,000
6,000
5,000
221,000
25,000
21,000
19,000
17,000
13,000
11,000
10,000
9,000
8,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
233,000
% Change
4%
40%
6%
0%
-7%
10%
11%
0%
0%
33%
100%
-43%
-50%
-33%
-20%
5%
Source: VisaVue® Travel (plus other estimators)
5
Hartsfield Airport Region Spending
For 2011 quarters one through four, almost $18.8 million was spent in the Hartsfield
Airport Region of Georgia by visitors from international origins (excluding Canada). That
equates to about $81 being spent per person on their visit while in the Hartsfield Airport
Region. That amount is roughly half of what was spent in the region last year so there
may be some changes in the way the airport allows their data to be tracked or some
other anomaly. While that amount is lower than other regions, the possibility that the
person may only be in the region for a couple of hours shows how much they’re
spending in a relatively short amount of time.
Top countries of origin for spending in the Hartsfield Airport Region of Georgia are
similar to those for volume. The United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, France, and Mexico
comprise the top five. They total 38 percent of total spending while in the Hartsfield
Airport Region of Georgia while the top 15 countries account for 66 percent of all
spending in the region.
Top Spending by Country of Origin
Hartsfield Airport Region 2011Q1-4
Country
United Kingdom
Germany
Brazil
France
Mexico
India
South Korea
Japan
Spain
Italy
Australia
China / Hong Kong
Bahamas
South Africa
Bermuda
TOTAL COUNTRIES
2010
Spending
Volume
% of Total
$5.2M
$2.3M
$2.0M
$2.9M
$1.4M
$3.6M
$1.2M
$0.76M
$0.62M
$0.57M
$0.91M
$0.39M
$0.74M
$0.71M
$0.69M
$35.7M
$2.4M
$1.4M
$1.2M
$1.1M
$1.1M
$1.1M
$0.74M
$0.57M
$0.45M
$0.43M
$0.41M
$0.41M
$0.37M
$0.36M
$0.35M
$18.8M
-54%
-42%
-43%
-60%
-17%
-68%
-38%
-25%
-28%
-25%
-55%
3%
-50%
-49%
-50%
-47%
Source: VisaVue® Travel (plus other estimators)
6
Georgia Mountains Region
Georgia Mountains Region Volume
During 2011 (Q1-4), the Georgia Mountains Region had visitors from 144 different
countries around the world (excluding Canada). Total visitors for this period equaled
111,000. Top countries of origin visiting the Georgia Mountains Region include South
Korea, the United Kingdom, China/Hong Kong, Brazil, and Germany. These top five
countries of origin account for 42 percent of total visitation to the Georgia Mountains
Region. With 144 countries of origin, many countries account for very little in the total
while others have a larger share. The top 15 countries account for 72 percent of total
visitors to the Georgia Mountains Region in the 2011Q1-4 time period.
Top Countries of Origin by Volume
Georgia Mountains Region 2011Q1-4
Country
South Korea
United Kingdom
China / Hong Kong
Brazil
Germany
Japan
Mexico
Australia
France
India
Venezuela
Italy
Colombia
Spain
Sweden
TOTAL COUNTRIES
2010
Volume
2011
Volume
10,000
9,000
6,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
3,000
3,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
1,000
101,000
11,000
11,000
9,000
8,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
4,000
3,000
3,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
111,000
% Change
10%
22%
50%
0%
14%
17%
20%
33%
0%
50%
0%
0%
0%
0%
100%
10%
Source: VisaVue® Travel (plus other estimators)
7
Georgia Mountains Region Spending
For 2011 (all four quarters), just over $41 million was spent in the Georgia Mountains
Region of Georgia by visitors from international origins (excluding Canada). That
equates to about $371 being spent per person on their visit while in the Georgia
Mountains Region.
Top countries of origin for spending in the Georgia Mountains Region of Georgia are
similar to those for volume. The top five spending countries are the United Kingdom,
Brazil, South Korea, China/Hong Kong, and Mexico. They total 42 percent of total
spending while in the Georgia Mountains Region while the top 15 countries comprise 67
percent of total spending.
Top Spending by Country of Origin
Georgia Mountains Region 2011Q1-4
Country
United Kingdom
Brazil
South Korea
China / Hong Kong
Mexico
Germany
Japan
Australia
France
Colombia
Venezuela
Honduras
Russian Federation
Sweden
India
TOTAL COUNTRIES
2010
Spending
2011
Spending
$3.3M
$3.4M
$3.3M
$2.2M
$2.3M
$1.9M
$1.9M
$1.0M
$1.0M
$0.77M
$0.62M
$0.47M
$0.51M
$0.46M
$0.62M
$37.2M
$4.0M
$3.7M
$3.7M
$3.4M
$2.6M
$2.1M
$2.1M
$1.2M
$1.1M
$0.75M
$0.71M
$0.64M
$0.60M
$0.56M
$0.56M
$41.1M
% Change
22%
11%
12%
57%
12%
13%
13%
22%
6%
-2%
14%
35%
18%
23%
-10%
11%
Source: VisaVue® Travel (plus other estimators)
8
Middle Georgia Region
Middle Georgia Region Volume
During 2011 (Q1-4), the Middle Georgia Region had visitors from 152 different countries
around the world (excluding Canada). Total visitors for these four quarters combined
equaled 82,000. Top countries of origin visiting the Middle Georgia Region include the
United Kingdom, South Korea, Germany, Japan, and China/Hong Kong. These top five
countries of origin account for 41 percent of total visitation to the Middle Georgia
Region. With 152 countries of origin, many countries account for very little in the total.
After the top 12 countries of origin, the share goes to just one percent or less for each
additional country of that 152. The top 15 countries account for 71 percent of total
visitors to the Middle Georgia Region in the 2011Q1-4 time period.
Top Countries of Origin by Volume
Middle Georgia Region 2011Q1-4
Country
United Kingdom
South Korea
Germany
Japan
China / Hong Kong
Brazil
Australia
Mexico
France
Sweden
Italy
India
Spain
Bahamas
Norway
Total Countries
2010
Volume
12,000
7,000
6,000
4,000
3,000
4,000
4,000
3,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
78,000
2011
Volume
11,000
8,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
82,000
% Change
-8%
14%
0%
25%
33%
0%
0%
33%
0%
0%
100%
100%
0%
0%
0%
5%
Source: VisaVue® Travel (plus other estimators)
9
Middle Georgia Region Spending
For 2011 (quarters one through four), almost $40 million was spent in the Middle
Georgia Region of Georgia by visitors from international origins (excluding Canada).
That equates to about $485 being spent per person on their visit while in the Middle
Georgia Region.
Top countries of origin for spending in the Middle Georgia Region of Georgia are very
similar to those for volume. The United Kingdom, South Korea, Brazil, Australia and
Germany comprise the top five. They total 37 percent of total spending while in the
Middle Georgia Region of Georgia. The top 15 countries of origin account for 67 percent
of total spending in the region for 2011.
Top Spending by Country of Origin
Middle Georgia Region 2011Q1-4
Country
United Kingdom
South Korea
Brazil
Australia
Germany
Japan
China / Hong Kong
Mexico
France
India
Bahamas
Colombia
Sweden
Honduras
South Africa
TOTAL COUNTRIES
2010
Spending
2011
Spending
$5.2M
$3.1M
$2.1M
$1.6M
$1.4M
$2.0M
$1.2M
$1.3M
$1.4M
$0.89M
$1.0M
$0.85M
$0.68M
$0.86M
$0.56M
$36.8M
$5.2M
$3.5M
$2.2M
$1.9M
$1.9M
$1.8M
$1.8M
$1.7M
$1.3M
$1.3M
$1.1M
$0.82M
$0.82M
$0.69M
$0.65M
$39.8M
% Change
0%
12%
5%
21%
32%
-9%
43%
27%
-10%
42%
8%
-3%
21%
-20%
15%
8%
Source: VisaVue® Travel (plus other estimators)
10
Coast Region
Coast Region Volume
Calendar year 2011 (Q1-4) brought the Coast Region visitors from 139 different
countries around the world (excluding Canada). Total visitors for the four quarters
combined totaled 66,000. Top countries of origin visiting the Coast Region include the
United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, China/Hong Kong, and France. These top five
countries of origin account for 41 percent of total visitation to the Coast Region. With
139 countries of origin, many countries account for very little in the total while others
have a much larger share (most account for two percent or less individually). The top 15
countries account for 65 percent of total visitors to the Coast Region in the 2011Q1-4
time period. For this region, some origin countries had too few visitors on an individual
quarter basis to provide a reliable (rounded) estimate as 1,000 estimated visitors is the
lowest number that will be published. However, on a year-to-date basis, the estimates
for these countries exceed the 1,000 threshold and are reliable.
Top Countries of Origin by Volume
Coast Region 2011Q1-4
Country
United Kingdom
Germany
Australia
China / Hong Kong
France
Brazil
Japan
Sweden
Switzerland
Denmark
South Korea
Mexico
Norway
Spain
Italy
TOTAL COUNTRIES
2010
Volume
11,000
7,000
3,000
2,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
59,000
2011
Volume
10,000
7,000
4,000
3,000
3,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
2,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
66,000
% Change
-9%
0%
33%
50%
0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
12%
Source: VisaVue® Travel (plus other estimators)
11
Coast Region Spending
For 2011 quarters one through four, more than $29.2 million was spent in the Middle
Georgia Region of Georgia by visitors from international origins (excluding Canada).
That equates to about $443 being spent per person on their visit while in the Coast
Region.
The top five countries of origin for spending in the Coast Region of Georgia are the
United Kingdom, Germany, China/Hong/Kong, Australia, and Brazil. They total 39
percent of total spending while in the Coast Region of Georgia while the top 15
countries account for 64 percent.
Top Spending by Country of Origin
Coast Region 2011Q1-4
Country
United Kingdom
Germany
China / Hong Kong
Australia
Brazil
France
Japan
Switzerland
South Korea
Mexico
Venezuela
Sweden
Bahamas
Norway
Russian Federation
TOTAL COUNTRIES
2010
Spending
2011
Spending
$6.0M
$1.6M
$0.94M
$1.3M
$0.98M
$1.1M
$0.77M
$0.88M
$0.78M
$0.60M
$0.10M
$0.67M
$0.52M
$0.40M
$0.35M
$26.0M
$5.0M
$1.9M
$1.7M
$1.5M
$1.3M
$1.1M
$1.0M
$0.98M
$0.77M
$0.69M
$0.67M
$0.62M
$0.62M
$0.48M
$0.40M
$29.2M
% Change
-17%
19%
82%
16%
34%
2%
31%
11%
-2%
14%
571%
-8%
21%
21%
13%
12%
Source: VisaVue® Travel (plus other estimators)
12