WASHINGTON, US: Amid a weakening US dollar, foreign travel to the United States is surging in 2008, government figures released on Monday showed.

The Commerce Department said international visits rose 15 per cent in the first quarter from a year ago, and visitor spending increased by 20 per cent. In March 2008, visits rose 19 per cent to 4.7 million. International visitors spent a record US$11.4 billion (S$15.6 billion) in March, a 20 per cent increase from March 2007.

"America's success is its openness, and being open to international travel and tourism to the United States boosts the US economy," said department assistant secretary William Sutton.

According to the data, overseas arrivals excluding Canada and Mexico increased 10 per cent for the month compared with March 2007 and also for the first quarter of 2008.

Visits from western Europe increased 15 per cent in March and 14 per cent for the quarter. For 2007, international visitors spent more than US$122 billion on travel and tourism related goods and services, up 13 per cent from 2006. --AFP