The International Emerging Market Report 2011
The study polled inbound travelers to the US who had visited within the past twelve months on their overall itineraries and specifically on their shopping plans. The initial findings detail key trends amongst the Top 5 emerging/growth markets as identified by the DOC including visitors from Australia, Brazil, China, India, and Korea where DOC projects arrivals growth from 15 percent to 40 percent within the next three years.
Shopping is a key driver for these travelers in their choice of the U.S. as a destination, with a majority (56%) saying shopping was the key reason they took the trip or it helped them choose among destinations. In addition, these travelers purchased more than the twice the amount they had planned to purchase while shopping in the U.S.
Additional Key Findings:
• Key Activities.
• Brand Awareness.
• Top Retailer.
• What are they buying?
• Use of Technology
According to Laura Mandala, travel industry consultant and former executive with the U.S. Travel Association, “The findings support the thesis that travel barriers to the U.S. should be eliminated in order for the economy to benefit from the infusion these travelers can have on the U.S. marketplace.”