Real spending on travel and tourism increased at an annual rate of 3.4 percent in the first quarter of 2012 after increasing 4.4 percent (revised) in the fourth quarter of 2011. By comparison, growth in real gross domestic product (GDP) increased 1.9 percent (second estimate) in the first quarter after increasing 3.0 percent in the fourth quarter. The increase in real spending on tourism primarily reflected increases in traveler accommodations and in food services and drinking places.
Overall growth in prices for travel and tourism goods and services turned up, increasing 6.0 percent in the first quarter of 2012 following a 1.7 percent (revised) decrease in the fourth quarter of 2011. The upturn in prices for travel and tourism goods and services reflected upturns in the prices for fuel related to transportation services and in the prices for traveler accommodations.
 
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