Real Tourism Spending. Real spending on “traveler accommodations” accelerated, increasing 9.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012 after increasing 5.3 percent in the third quarter. Real spending on “food services and drinking places” also accelerated, increasing 8.6 percent in the fourth quarter after increasing 0.6 percent in the third quarter.
Tourism Prices. Prices for “passenger air transportation” turned up, increasing 0.8 percent in the fourth quarter after decreasing 11.5 percent in the third quarter. Prices for “traveler accommodations” decreased 0.5 percent in the fourth quarter after decreasing 8.2 percent in the third quarter.
Tourism Employment. Employment in the travel and tourism industries decelerated in the fourth quarter, increasing 0.4 percent after increasing 1.3 percent in the third quarter. The deceleration was more than accounted for by a downturn in “food services and drinking places.
You can learn more about travel and tourism spending here.