IT'S NOT not just the domestic US economy on the sick list: The number of people wanting to visit the US – and the dollars they spend while they’re there – are down drastically.

Figures from the US Department of Commerce show international visitors spent an estimated $10.2 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the US in November – nearly $800 million less (7 per cent) than was spent in November 2008 and nearly $1.8 billion less per month in the year-to-date period.

In fact, total international visitor spending is down $19.3 billion or 15 per cent for the year to date (January-November).

The figures show purchases of travel and tourism-related goods and services by international visitors travelling in the United States totalled $7.9 billion during November, a decrease of nearly 6 per cent in comparison with last year. This includes food, lodging, recreation, gifts, entertainment, local transport in the US and other incidental items.

Fares received by US carriers from international visitors declined nearly 12 per cent to $2.3 billion for the month, a decrease of $307 from November 2008.

November 2009 was the thirteenth consecutive month in which US travel and tourism-related exports were lower when compared to the same period of the previous year.

Year-to-date travel and tourism-related exports — spending by international visitors in the US — totalled $111.2 billion, down nearly 15 percent ($19.3 billion) when compared to 2008.

Meanwhile, year-to-date travel and tourism-related imports — spending by Americans abroad — totalled $89.9 billion, down nearly 13 percent ($13.3 billion).