CHARACTERISTICS OF TRAVELERS FROM
SOUTH AMERICA TO CALIFORNIA – 2010
South America was one of California’s large overseas markets with approximately
310,000 visitors to California in 2010. Collectively visitors from South America spent
approximately $462 million in California.
South American visitors to California during 2010 reported spending $146 per day during
an 10.2 night average stay or approximately $1,489 per visitor. The average spending for all
overseas visitors to California was about $1,209 ($107 per day; 11.3 nights in California).
Visitors From South America
Year
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Total
1
U.S. Arrivals
2,941,471
2,531,089
1,815,230
1,522,191
1,645,342
1,820,315
1,927,647
2,273,802
2,555,599
2,741,535
3,250,298
California
Market
2
Share
11.6%
11.5%
10.2%
9.7%
11.0%
8.8%
7.9%
11.0%
9.9%
9.4%
9.5%
Visitors to
California
(est.)
341,000
291,000
185,000
148,000
181,000
160,000
152,000
250,000
254,000
258,000
310,000
1) U.S. Dept of Homeland Security, Form I-94, Non-Resident Arrival Records.
2) U.S. Dept of Commerce, Office of Travel & Tourism Industries,
"Survey of International Air Travelers."
Number of Visitors from South America to CA, 2001-2010
(in 000s)
500
400
300
310
291
185
200
148
181
160
250
254
258
2007
2008
2009
152
100
0
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2010
Source: International Trade Administration, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries.
South American Visitors to California – 2010
1
In past years, the volume of visitors to California from South America was at its
highest in 1998 at a level of 447,000 visitors. Over the next five years this volume decreased to
148,000 visitors in 2003, and has fluctuated up and down since then. There has been growth in
the visitor volume from 152,000 visitors in 2006 to 310,000 visitors in 2010. Nevertheless, the
volume of visitors to California from South America still remains significantly below the peak
levels experienced in the late 1990’s.
South American Arrivals at California Airports
Monthly volumes of port-of-entry passenger arrivals from South America to California
were higher in 2010 compared with 2009 and 2008. In 2009, South American resident arrivals
at California ports-of-entry peaked in July and December. The lowest volume was recorded in
March and April.
Residents of South America
Monthly Port of Entry Arrivals to CA
2008-2010
15,000
12,500
10,000
7,500
5,000
2008
2009
2,500
2010
0
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, I-94 Form; CIC Research, Inc.
South American Visitors to California – 2010
2
Comparisons with Overseas Visitors
Detailed trip and traveler characteristics of visitors from South America are provided in
the following table. The table also includes trip and traveler characteristics of all overseas
visitors to California for comparative purposes.
Compared to all overseas visitors to California, travelers from South America are more likely to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Travel to the U.S. for leisure purposes
Have shorter trip planning and booking horizons
Fly in economy/tourist/coach class
Travel alone
Visit Miami as part of their trip
Visit historical places while visiting the U.S.
Use airlines for transportation while in the U.S.
Spend a larger proportion of their trip spending on gifts and souvenirs in the U.S.
Conversely, visitors from South America are less likely to:
•
•
•
•
Use a personal computer to plan their trip
Be on their first trip to the U.S.
Fly in executive/business class
Visit national parks, tour the countryside, or go on guided tours
South American Visitors to California – 2010
3
Characteristics of Travelers from
South America to California – 2010
Trip & Traveler Characteristics
Primary Purpose of Trip
Leisure/Recreation/Holidays
Visit Friends/Relatives
Business/Professional
Convention/Conference
Other Purpose
Total
Purpose of Trip**
Leisure/Recreation/Holidays
Visit Friends/Relatives
Business/Professional
Convention/Conference
Sources Used to Plan Trip**
Personal Computer
Travel Agency
Airlines Directly
Friends/Relatives
Travel Guides
Corporate Travel Department
Tour Company
State/City Travel Office
Newspapers/Magazines
Advance Planning for Trip
7 days or less
8 - 30 days
31 - 60 days
61 - 90 days
More than 3 Months
Total
Average Planning Time in Days
Advance Airline Reservations
7 days or less
8 - 30 days
31 - 60 days
61 - 90 days
91 - 120 days
121 - 180 days
6 Months or More
Total
Average Booking in Days
All Overseas
Visitors*
(n = 7,760)
All Visitors
from South
America
(n = 298)
Leisure Visitors
from South
America
(n = 185)
48%
22%
21%
5%
5%
100%
58%
15%
15%
8%
4%
100%
80%
20%
100%
67%
39%
24%
9%
77%
45%
17%
14%
88%
41%
4%
-
44%
40%
23%
17%
10%
8%
5%
4%
3%
33%
37%
28%
24%
7%
7%
5%
2%
5%
30%
40%
31%
21%
10%
5%
1%
9%
6%
28%
20%
12%
34%
100%
98 days
6%
26%
23%
24%
21%
100%
81 days
5%
25%
22%
25%
23%
100%
86 days
12%
38%
17%
10%
7%
10%
7%
100%
68 days
8%
44%
24%
15%
2%
6%
1%
100%
51 days
7%
38%
27%
20%
3%
5%
1%
100%
56 days
* Overseas visitors to the U.S. do not include visitors from Canada or Mexico.
** Multiple response question. Table may add to more than 100%.
Sources: International Trade Administration Office of Travel and Tourism Industries
"Survey of International Air Travelers."
South American Visitors to California – 2010
4
Characteristics of Travelers from South America to California
(2010 - cont.)
Trip & Traveler Characteristics
Means of Booking Air Trip
Travel Agent
Personal Computer
Airlines Directly
Corporate Travel Department
Tour Operator
Travel Club
Other/Don't Know
Total
Main Factor in Selecting Airline
Airfare
Schedule
Non-Stop Flight
Mileage Bonus/Frequent Flyer Program
Previous Good Experience
Safety Reputation
Airline Loyalty
In-flight Service
Employer policy
Other
Total
Airline Seating Area
Economy/Tourist/Coach
Executive/Business
First Class
Total
Use of Package
Yes
No
Total
Advance Package Booking
7 days or less
8 - 30 days
31 - 60 days
61 - 90 days
91 - 120 days
121 - 180 days
6 Months or More
Total
All Overseas
Visitors*
(n = 7,760)
All Visitors
from South
America
(n = 298)
Leisure Visitors
from South
America
(n = 185)
46%
25%
13%
9%
5%
1%
2%
100%
52%
21%
19%
1%
5%
1%
1%
100%
53%
16%
21%
1%
5%
2%
1%
100%
32%
13%
12%
10%
9%
6%
4%
5%
3%
6%
100%
31%
12%
15%
13%
8%
3%
4%
1%
12%
100%
37%
9%
23%
8%
11%
5%
6%
2%
100%
81%
17%
2%
100%
92%
6%
2%
100%
88%
9%
2%
100%
14%
86%
100%
10%
90%
100%
14%
86%
100%
4%
24%
13%
13%
8%
18%
20%
100%
29%
21%
33%
2%
13%
2%
100%
14%
30%
38%
18%
100%
* Overseas visitors to the U.S. do not include visitors from Canada or Mexico.
Sources: International Trade Administration Office of Travel and Tourism Industries
"Survey of International Air Travelers."
South American Visitors to California – 2010
5
Characteristics of Travelers from South America to California
(2010 - cont.)
Trip & Traveler Characteristics
Travel Companions**
Traveling Alone
Spouse
Family/Relatives
Friends
Business Associates
Tour Group
Average Travel Party Size
Median Travel Party Size
Type of Lodging**
Hotel / Motel
Private Home
Other
Length of Stay
Mean Nights in the U.S.
Mean Nights in California
% of California Nights
Prior Visitation to the U.S.
First Trip to the U.S. (% Yes)
Average Trips to the U.S. in Past Year
Average Trips to the U.S. in Past 5 Years
Average Number of States Visited
Average Number of Destinations Visited
Places Visited in the U.S.**
Los Angeles
San Francisco
Las Vegas
New York City
San Diego
Flagstaff
Anaheim-Santa Ana
Grand Canyon
San Jose
DC Metro Area
Yosemite
Chicago
Monterey-Salinas
Miami
Riverside/San Bernardino
Seattle
Sacramento
All Overseas
Visitors*
(n = 7,760)
All Visitors
from South
America
(n = 298)
Leisure
Visitors from
South America
(n = 185)
39%
27%
25%
11%
8%
2%
1.6
1.0
52%
25%
28%
6%
2%
2%
1.4
1.0
39%
37%
36%
6%
1%
1.5
1.0
78%
29%
4%
73%
33%
4%
76%
29%
5%
22.8 nights
11.3 nights
50%
19.3 nights
10.2 nights
53%
16.4 nights
8.1 nights
49%
27%
1.8 trips
5.2 trips
2.1 states
3.0 dest.
14%
1.8 trips
5.5 trips
2.0 states
2.8 dest.
19%
1.8 trips
5.2 trips
2.0 states
2.8 dest.
60%
47%
29%
16%
14%
8%
7%
5%
5%
5%
4%
4%
4%
4%
4%
3%
3%
66%
41%
25%
16%
15%
1%
4%
1%
3%
3%
1%
5%
2%
16%
7%
7%
71%
41%
34%
20%
15%
2%
2%
2%
2%
1%
4%
3%
14%
2%
1%
* Overseas visitors to the U.S. do not include visitors from Canada or Mexico.
** Multiple response question. Table may add to more than 100%.
Sources: International Trade Administration Office of Travel and Tourism Industries
"Survey of International Air Travelers."
South American Visitors to California – 2010
6
Characteristics of Travelers from South America to California
(2010 - cont.)
Trip & Traveler Characteristics
Activities Experienced While in the U.S.**
Shopping
Dining Out
Sightseeing in Cities
Historical Places
Amusement/Theme Parks
National Parks
Visiting Small Towns
Cultural Heritage Sites
Touring Countryside
Art Gallery/Museum
Casinos/Gambling
Guided Tours
Transportation While in the U.S.**
Rented Auto
Taxi/Limousine
Airlines in U.S.
Company or Private Auto
City Subway/Tram/Bus
Railroad between Cities
Bus between Cities
Motor Home/Camper
Visitor Spending in the U.S.
Per Travel Party Per Trip (U.S.)
Per Visitor/Trip (U.S.)
Per Visitor Per Day
Per Visitor/Trip (California)
Spending by Category (Per Visitor/Trip)
Lodging
Food/Beverages
Gifts/Souvenirs
Transportation in the U.S.
Entertainment
Expenses at the Airport
Other
Total Spending Per Visitor/Trip
All Overseas
Visitors*
(n = 7,760)
All Visitors
from South
America
(n = 298)
Leisure Visitors
from South
America
(n = 185)
88%
85%
57%
47%
40%
38%
38%
31%
31%
26%
25%
23%
87%
84%
60%
61%
45%
25%
40%
26%
21%
32%
30%
13%
91%
84%
58%
55%
46%
31%
41%
22%
13%
28%
19%
19%
41%
39%
37%
28%
25%
12%
10%
2%
47%
37%
51%
27%
29%
10%
15%
-
57%
36%
54%
19%
28%
12%
8%
-
$3,797
$2,435
$107
$1,209
$3,964
$2,826
$146
$1,489
$5,294
$3,441
$210
$1,701
$661
$514
$421
$384
$243
$34
$179
$2,435
$699
$432
$863
$342
$287
$53
$149
$2,826
$852
$494
$1,182
$399
$364
$31
$119
$3,441
* Overseas visitors to the U.S. do not include visitors from Canada or Mexico.
** Multiple response question. Table may add to more than 100%.
Sources: International Trade Administration Office of Travel and Tourism Industries
"Survey of International Air Travelers."
South American Visitors to California – 2010
7
Characteristics of Travelers from South America to California
(2010 - cont.)
Trip & Traveler Characteristics
Payment Method for Trip Expenses
Credit Cards
Cash
Debit Cards
Travelers Checks
Total
Age
Average Age - Males
Average Age - Females
Occupation
Professional/Technical
Manager/Executive
Student
Retired
Clerical/Sales
Other
Total
Annual Household Income
Under $20,000
$20,000 - $39,999
$40,000 - $59,999
$60,000 - $79,999
$80,000 - $99,999
$100,000 - $119,999
$120,000 - $139,999
$140,000 - $159,999
$160,000 - $179,999
$180,000 - $199,999
$200,000 and over
Total
Average Annual Income
All Overseas
Visitors*
(n = 7,760)
All Visitors
from South
America
(n = 298)
Leisure Visitors
from South
America
(n = 185)
52%
39%
7%
1%
100%
52%
44%
4%
1%
100%
52%
44%
4%
1%
100%
43 years
40 years
41 years
42 years
45 years
39 years
33%
29%
10%
9%
8%
12%
100%
35%
32%
13%
10%
2%
9%
100%
37%
36%
7%
5%
3%
14%
100%
8%
13%
14%
13%
11%
11%
7%
6%
3%
3%
13%
100%
$96,200
12%
18%
9%
10%
10%
8%
10%
6%
1%
2%
14%
100%
$92,400
12%
18%
6%
15%
11%
7%
5%
4%
1%
3%
20%
100%
$96,900
* Overseas visitors to the U.S. do not include visitors from Canada or Mexico.
Sources: International Trade Administration Office of Travel and Tourism Industries
"Survey of International Air Travelers."
South American Visitors to California – 2010
8