According to the US Commerce Department a record 62 million foreigners visited the United States in 2011, an increase of 2.5 million from 2010.
(Spending by domestic as well as international tourists grew 8.1 percent from 2010 to $1.2 trillion, supporting an additional 103,000 jobs for a total of 7.6 million, and spending $153 billion on travel and tourism-related services. President Barack Obama’s administration has promised to support the tourism industry and make America more welcoming to visitors from all over the world. They could start at the airports and get security to smile a bit.)