California Business Minute™

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Hi, I am Tim Johnson and welcome to the California Business Minute.

For the first time since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, California attracted
more than 5 million overseas travelers in 2007, for the first time since the terrorist
attacks of September 11, 2001 according to newly released figures by the U.S.
Office of Travel and Tourism Industries.
 
About 5.2 million overseas travelers visited the state in 2007, a 12.4 percent increase
from 4.6 million in 2006. California's market share of the total U.S. overseas travel inched
up from 21.3 percent to 21.7 percent. All of California's top overseas markets increased.

-German travelers saw the largest gain, up 33.6 percent, from 241,000 to 322,000
-French visitors rose 27.4 percent, from 186,000 to 237,000
-Italian visitors rose 19.2 percent from 104,000 to 124,000
-Australia visitors increased 16.4 percent, from 286,000 to 333,000
-Chinese visitors rose 15.2 percent, from 197,000 to 227,000
-Japanese visitors rose 4.5 percent from 646,000 to 675,000 
-United Kingdom rose up only 1.7 percent, but they are largest in number of 765,000
 visitors up from 752,000 visits in 2006.

The incoming travel was helped by favorable exchange rates and increasing airline
capacity, said Caroline Beteta, chief executive officer of the California Travel and
Tourism Commission. The commission estimates the economic impact of international
tourism to the state at $16.7 billion. The California Travel & Tourism spent more than
$20 million last year to attract international travelers.

I am Tim Johnson and this has been the California Business Minute.