Philadelphia Snapshots
2018 OVERSEAS VISITORS TO PHILADELPHIA: ALL MARKETS
● 2018 marked the fourth consecutive year of growth for overseas visitation with 7.5% year-over-year growth ● Overseas visitors generated 3 million dollars in direct spending in 2018 – a modern-day record ● Nine of Philadelphia's top ten overseas markets had year-over-year growth in 2018 ● Overseas visitation to Philadelphia expected to grow 13.4% over the next five years
2017 Snapshot: United Kingdom
In 2017, the United Kingdom remained Philadelphia's number one overseas feeder market, as it has been since 2000, with a total of 108,900 visitors. U.K. visitors made up 17% of all overseas visitation to Philadelphia and U.K. visitor spending totaled .7 million in 2017 – a 2% decrease from 2016. Leisure is still the number one reason for travel to Philadelphia, however business has increasingly become more popular. Sightseeing (84%) and shopping (84%) round out the top activities by U.K. visitors.
2017 Snapshot: South Korea
In 2017, 23,500 visitors from South Korea traveled to Philadelphia, an 18% increase over 2016. This rapid growth makes South Korea Philadelphia's fastest growing top market. In 2017, South Korean visitors spent .6 million in Philadelphia, a 28% increase over 2016. More than half of South Korean visitors cited leisure travel as their main purpose for visiting. Year-over-year, the proportion of visitors from South Korea that made Philadelphia their only stop on the itineraries increased significantly from 8% in 2016 to 16% in 2017.
2017 Snapshot: Nordic Region
In 2017, visitors from the Nordic Region (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Finland) to Philadelphia totaled 19,400. Nordic visitors spent million in Philadelphia, a 43% increase over 2016. Both the number of visitors and total spend from the Nordic region is expected to grow significantly over the next five years with over 24,000 visitors forecasted by 2022. Nearly 70% of Nordic visitors travelled to Philadelphia for leisure purposes with shopping and sightseeing coming in as the top-rated visitor activities. A relatively high proportion (26%) of Nordic visitors to Philadelphia selected the city as the only U.S. destination on their itineraries.
2017 Snapshot: Japan
In 2017, nearly 12,000 visitors from Japan traveled to Philadelphia. Spending by Japanese visitors in Philadelphia increased by more than 17% over 2016 with a total of million spent in market. Over two-thirds of all Japanese travelers to Philadelphia listed business or conventions as their primary reasons for visiting, more than any other overseas market. A relatively high proportion of Japanese visitors (33%) stated that Philadelphia was their only U.S. destination visited on this trip.
2017 Snapshot: Italy
Nearly 21,000 visitors from Italy traveled to Philadelphia in 2017. In 2017, Italian visitors spent million in market, marking the first time Philadelphia saw a year-over-year increase in spending by visitors from Italy (21% increase over 2016). Over three-quarters of Italian visitors came to Philadelphia for leisure purposes, but there was an increase in business travel compared to 2016. In addition to the activities typically popular among overseas visitors to Philadelphia, like shopping and sightseeing, Italian visitors are particularly interested in art galleries, museums, national parks and monuments.
2017 Snapshot: India
India continues to be a rapidly growing overseas market and delivered 53,000 visitors to Philadelphia in 2017. The market fell just short of the 3rd-ranked Germany. Visitors from India spent million in market, making them Philadelphia's 3rd highest market for overseas spending. Compared to other key overseas markets, India stood out with a particularly high proportion of business travel (22%), but conference and education travel were among growing interests.
2017 Snapshot: Germany
Germany is Philadelphia's 3rd largest source market for overseas visitors to Philadelphia. In 2017, German visitors spent .4 million in Philadelphia, up significantly (30%) over 2016. Compared to visitors from other overseas markets, German visitors are more likely to use Philadelphia as their port of entry to the United States than other nearby East Coast cities. In addition to activities typically popular among overseas visitors like shopping and sightseeing, German visitors to Philadelphia were particularly interested in visiting the small towns and countryside surrounding the city.
2017 Snapshot: France
For the second straight year, China is Philadelphia's 2nd largest source market for overseas visitation to Philadelphia. In 2017, 68,000 visitors traveled to Philadelphia from China, up 2% over 2016, and visitors accounted for 176,600 of the total room nights sold. Chinese visitors spent a total of 9 million in Philadelphia, ranking China number one in direct visitor spending among all overseas markets. Over 60% of visitors traveled to Philadelphia primarily for leisure purposes with shopping and sightseeing coming in as the top-rated visitor activities. One-quarter of Chinese visitors to Philadelphia selected the city as the only U.S. destination on their itineraries, a relatively high proportion of visitors.
2017 Snapshot: China
For the second straight year, China is Philadelphia's 2nd largest source market for overseas visitation to Philadelphia. In 2017, 68,000 visitors traveled to Philadelphia from China, up 2% over 2016, and visitors accounted for 176,600 of the total room nights sold. Chinese visitors spent a total of 9 million in Philadelphia, ranking China number one in direct visitor spending among all overseas markets. Over 60% of visitors traveled to Philadelphia primarily for leisure purposes with shopping and sightseeing coming in as the top-rated visitor activities. One-quarter of Chinese visitors to Philadelphia selected the city as the only U.S. destination on their itineraries, a relatively high proportion of visitors.