International visitors spent a record amount in the United States during 2006, beating the previous record set before 2001.

International travellers spent more that $107 billion, according to the Commerce Department of the US government. This figure was calculated from the money spent on air travel to the US and internal flights in America, cruise holidays in the US, accommodation, food, entertainment and gifts.

The high spending level is the highest seen since the September 11 attacks, which led to a drop in the revenues from people taking holidays in the USA and marks the American travel industry’s return to form.

Ana Guevara, the Commerce Department’s deputy assistant secretary for services said: “We have seen full recovery in spending by visitors to the United States since September 11. This is good news for the US travel and tourism industry, which employed 8.3 million Americans last year.”

In line with the rise of spending the Transportation Bureau’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported a rise in international passengers travelling on US airlines. During the first six months of 2006 there was a rise of 5.9%.

Newcastle Airport has announced new direct flights to Dubai from the Emirates airline.

For the first time, holidaymakers in the North-East will be able to fly directly to Dubai with the first scheduled long-haul flights from Newcastle Airport.
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A new report into internet usage has revealed that over fifty per cent of people who use the internet have booked holidays online.

Beach holidays are the most popular with online shoppers, followed by long haul holidays and cruise holidays.
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Britons spend over 50% more on holidays than they did at the start of the Millennium, according to a new survey.

The average household is forecast to spend £1,801 on travel at home and abroad in 2007, this is 52.6% more than was spent in 2001.
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After travelling all around six continents across the world, a group of travel experts have named Oxwich Bay on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales as the most beautiful beach in Britain - and one of the best in the world.
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