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Strong numbers seen in first half of tourism season south of Boston

A long line waited for the 9 a.m. Captain John whale watching boat at Plymouth Town Wharf for the four-hour tour. Boston Globe staff photo by John TlumackiThe Boston Globe

Busy tourist season

The first half of the tourism calendar year in communities south of Boston has been one of the strongest on record. Observers attribute part of the successful season to a record number of international visitors to the region, particularly from China. They anticipate a stronger fall/winter season as well.

■  1.4 million international visitors traveled to Boston in 2014; in 2013 it was 1.3 million

■  173,000 Chinese visitors to Boston in 2014

■  $259 million: The annual amount Chinese visitors to Greater Boston (including Norfolk County communities) spend

■  89 percent: room occupancy in Greater Boston during the week of Aug. 16-22, compared with 87 percent the same week in 2014.

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■  10.2 percent: increase in room occupancy in Plymouth County in June 2015 over June 2014; July 2015 increase was 8.7 percent over July 2014

■  15.9 percent: increase in revenue per available room in June 2015 over June 2014; July 2015 increase was 14 percent over July 2014

■  2,800: estimated number of rooms in Plymouth County

■  $350 million: annual amount spent by visitors to the town of Plymouth.

■  $600 million: annual amount spent by visitors to Plymouth County

SOURCES: US Department of Commerce; Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau; Plymouth County Convention and Visitors Bureau


Katheleen Conti can be reached at kconti@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @GlobeKConti.