Real spending (output) on travel and tourism decelerated in the third quarter of 2015, increasing at an annual rate of 4.3 percent after increasing 8.4 percent (revised) in the second quarter of 2015. Real gross domestic product (GDP) also decelerated, increasing 2.1 percent (second estimate) in the third quarter after increasing 3.9 percent.
The leading contributors to the deceleration in the third quarter were “traveler accommodations” and “recreation and entertainment.” Real spending on “traveler accommodations” decelerated, increasing 4.0 percent in the third quarter after increasing 13.5 percent (revised) in the second quarter. Real spending on “recreation and entertainment” turned down, declining 8.1 percent, after increasing 5.6 percent in the previous quarter.
Tourism Prices. Price growth for travel and tourism goods and services turned down in the third quarter of 2015, decreasing 0.3 percent following an increase of 0.5 percent (revised) in the second quarter. The downturn was mainly attributable to a downturn in “all other transportation-related commodities,” which includes gasoline, travel arrangements and reservation services, and automotive rental. This commodity group decreased 0.2 percent after increasing 14.4 percent in the second quarter. Prices for “traveler accommodations” turned up in the third quarter, partially offsetting the downturn in prices for “all other transportation-related commodities.”
For more information, read the full report.