The Ultimate Fact Guide to America's Tourism Industry Including Outbound, Inbound, Domestic & Business Travel Figures.
The American tourism industry predicted 9% more international arrivals this year; however, with Trump’s tariffs and reports of tourists being arrested at the border, international perceptions of the US have taken a hit; inbound visitors have dropped by 3.3% during the first 3 months of 2025 compared with 2024. The travel forecasting company Tourism Economics has predicted a 9.4% decline for international arrivals in 2025.
The biggest decline in visitors to the U.S is expected to be from Canada. Flight Centre Travel Group Canada saw a 40% decline in leisure bookings to the U.S. in March 2025 compared with March 2024. Canada was the biggest source of visitors to the U.S., but with Trumps’ repeated suggestion that Canada should become the 51st state, plus tariffs on trading partners, have angered Canadian residents.
TOP U.S. TOURISM STATISTICS:
92% of Americans plan to travel in 2025.
56% of Americans plan to travel more in 2025 than they did in 2024.
The U.S. Travel Association has projected total U.S. travel spending to grow 3.9% to $1.35 trillion in 2025.
In 2025, the U.S. outbound tourism market is projected to be valued at approximately $224 billion.
In Feb 2025, U.S. consumer spending on air travel and hotels dropped 10% and 6% year over year.
In 2024, travellers spent $1.3 trillion in the U.S.
This produced an economic output of $2.9 trillion and supported more than 15 million American jobs.
European inbound travel to the U.S. dropped 17% in March 2025.
The travel forecasting company Tourism Economics has predicted a 9.4% decline for international arrivals in 2025.
Air visitors from Mexico fell 23% in March.
Between January and March 2025, 7.1 million visitors entered the U.S. from overseas, 3.3% fewer than the same period in 2024.
In 2025, Americans are projected to spend $215.4 billion on international travel.
Individual travelers are predicted to spend an average of $5,138 per trip.
92% of Americans plan to travel in 2025.
56% of Americans plan to travel more in 2025 than they did in 2024.
Mexico and Canada are the top three destinations for American travelers.
Top destinations also include the UK (3.7 million), France (3.1 million), Italy (2.6 million), Germany (2 million), and Spain (2 million).
Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos saw an increase of 528% in searches from January to June 2024.
In 2024, top domestic destinations for US travelers included California, Florida, New York, Nevada (Las Vegas), and Hawaii.
U.S. travelers took approximately 16.8 million domestic flights in 2024.
In 2024, an estimated 98.46 million Americans took international trips.
In 2024, the highest number of inbound international visitors to the United States, 20.24 million, came from Canada.
Approximately 17 million visitors came from Mexico.
Canada was the top source of inbound international visitors to the US in 2024, with 20.24 million visitors.
330,937 visitors came from the UK.
193,337 visitors were from Germany.
In 2024, an estimated 98.46 million Americans took international trips. The most popular destinations included Mexico, Canada, and the U.K.
The U.K. is a popular destination due to iconic landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and Stonehenge, and cities like London and Edinburgh. Canada is popularity due to it's proximity, affordability, and breathtaking scenery Canada has to offer. Japan's fascinating culture, seasonal attractions such as Cherry Blossoms in spring, and futuristic cities make it another popular destination for U.S tourists.
In 2024, the top domestic destinations for US travelers included California, Florida, New York, Nevada (Las Vegas), and Hawaii. Domestic tourism is expected to grow by 3% annually and will represent 70% of spending by 2030.
Looking at travel by generation, 73% of Baby Boomers are most likely to travel domestically, while 46% of Gen Z is most likely to travel internationally.
Americans spend $215.4 billion abroad annually.
In 2024, inbound tourists spent $210 billion in the U.S. on travel and tourism-related goods and services, up 13% compared to 2023.
American travellers spent $1.3 trillion in the U.S. in 2024, which produced an economic output of $2.9 trillion.
American travelers are predicted to spend an average of $5,138 per person, per trip.
Americans opting for luxury travel spend an average of $16,000 each, 3.4 times more than the average traveller spends.
Millennials spend an average of $3,927 per trip.
Average daily expenses range from over $700 per person to less than $200.
Aspen, Colorado, is the most expensive destination in the U.S., with an average daily cost of $779.92 per person.
A week-long trip for a family of four to Aspen can exceed $14,081.21.
Charleston, West Virginia, is the most affordable destination, with an average daily cost of just $193.99 per person.
For international travel, American travellers spent the most visiting Antarctica at $17,599 on average in 2024.
Over 15,000 American travelers spent over $82 million to visit the 10 most expensive destinations.
However, high travel costs have impacted travel to these destinations, with tourism down 27% in 2024 to these destinations.
Inbound travel to the US was estimated to be worth around $1.9 trillion in 2024.
Americans spend $215.4 billion abroad annually. The U.S. Travel Association projects that total U.S. travel spending will grow 3.9% to $1.35 trillion in 2025. Where outbound travel from the U.S. is increasing, inbound travel is starting to see a decline.
Some reports indicate a decline in inbound travel to the US in 2025, with estimates suggesting a potential loss of around $22 billion. This decline is attributed to President Trump, the "America First" stance, and the backlash from tariffs.
Sources: Travel Pulse, US Travel, US Travel 2, Phocuswright, TravelAgenctCentral, Squaremouth, Statista, Money Tourism, MagicNepal, AP News,
The U.S. Travel Association projects that total U.S. travel spending will grow 3.9% to $1.35 trillion in 2025.
In 2025, the US travel and tourism industry is projected to generate USD 223.64 billion in revenue. This includes domestic and international travel spending.
The market is anticipated to keep growing, with a projected market volume of US$265.49 billion by 2029.
The hotel market is the largest sector within the Travel & Tourism industry and is projected to reach US$114.74 billion in 2025.
In 2025, the tourism industry in the US is projected to employ 2.17 million people in hotels alone, up from 2.15 million in 2024.
In 2024, the travel and tourism sector contributed $2.51 trillion to the U.S. GDP.
This represents about 9% of the total U.S. economy.
U.S. millennials travel 35 days per year, compared to 26 days for Generation X, 27 days for Baby Boomers, and 29 days for Generation Z.
99% of baby boomers plan at least one leisure trip.
81% of boomers travel with a spouse or significant other.
47% of U.S. millennials & 50% of Gen Z would prefer to save money on flights and spend more on experiences.
84% of millennials plan to spend the same or more on travel in 2025 compared to 2024.
76% of U.S. millennials plan to take solo trips in 2025.
65% of millennials prioritize budget-friendly options but will splurge on unique travel moments.
70% of U.S. millennials and Gen Z like to plan trips that focus on enjoying the journey as well as the destination.
58% of millennials and Gen Z travel to a destination to find high-quality items authentic to the destination.
58% of Millennials and Gen Z parents surveyed plan to bring their extended family on vacation in 2025.
Compared with 31% of their Gen X and Baby Boomer counterparts.
When analysing the latest US travel statistics by generation, baby boomers tend to travel with a spouse or significant other, whereas millennials and Gen Z like to bring their extended family in order to spend more time together.
The younger generations are all about the experience, choosing to save on flights and spend more of their budget on experiences. They also like to enjoy the journey to their destination by taking luxury train journeys and cruises.
Sources: Forbes, The Vacationer, Roller, Press Reader, Travel Perk, PeekPro, American Express,
70% of American Millennial and Gen Z travelers report seeking out experiences that their family and friends have not heard of.
63% of American travelers age 50-plus still embrace the idea of taking a “bucket list trip” — for many (39%) even more so than prior to the pandemic.
Nearly two-thirds of Gen Z are planning ‘revenge travel’—travel to make up for time lost—after the pandemic
81% of US Millennials took their last vacation in the US, with family travel one of the most popular getaway types.
84% of Millennial respondents want to travel somewhere they can immerse themselves in local culture, according to a survey from American Express Travel.
56% of Gen Z said they'd want to stay in green or eco-friendly accommodations.
60% of Gen Z are looking for more environmentally friendly transportation once they arrive.
48% of Millennials say that having a unique experience is a must-have compared with 38% of Gen Zers.
Unlike Millennials who are open to mixing business and pleasure, Gen Z is more interested in keeping work far away from their vacation.
29% of baby boomers say that the best part about travelling is relaxation.
Time spent with family and friends is the best part for 23% of boomers.
Business/Leisure: U.S. travellers took 466.2 million domestic trips for business (26.2%), and 1,779.7 million for leisure (73.8%).
60% of millennials have adapted travel plans to work remotely.
Why do Americans travel?
The pandemic has had a huge impact on why Americans choose to travel. Millennials tend to prioritise seeing family, something which was prevented during COVID-19. Gen Z however, are taking revenge trips and making up for lost time by ensuring they enjoy experiences they missed out on during that time.
Gen Z travellers also want to experience unique trips which are unheard of, and also prioritise green or eco-friendly accommodation. Sustainability is becoming increasingly important.
People are gravitating towards more adventurous experiences than they might have done pre-pandemic, possibly because our relationship with life in some ways has changed. Life’s so short and the pandemic allowed us to appreciate that now more than ever before.
The most important reasons why Americans travel were:
- To make up for lost time
- To see friends and family
- Unique experiences which are unheard of
- Relaxing and unwinding - particularly for Baby Boomers
In terms of gender-based travel reasons, men indexed higher than women overall for exploring the great outdoors or outdoor activities that fall into that category. Generation Z, Millennials, or general age groups from 18-35 had higher responses around wanting to travel for music events or festivals than people aged 35 and over.
Generation Z should be a big consideration for the tourism industry as they move towards becoming a key market segment.
They are actively redefining what it means to travel, and embracing their unique needs is essential to understanding the future of the tourism and travel industry.
Sources: Travel Perk, Hotel Mize,
Relaxation trips are the most popular type of trip, with 65% of Americans taking one in the past year.
70% of Americans can only get away for a relaxing break for a long weekend.
Just 41% get away for a long weekend for an adventure break.
66% of those who travel for longer take relaxation trips.
Whilst 61% take adventure trips over a longer period.
82% ensure they have downtime to recharge, even on adventure trips.
Medical tourism is rising - the US medical tourism market is valued at $8.74 billion.
Medical tourism destinations for US residents include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Ecuador.
Medical services in Panama cost between 40% and 70% less than in the United States or Canada.
35% of Americans have planned a vacation based on when and where their favorite sports team is playing.
Americans say financial constraints are the top reason they skip adventure trips (57%) versus relaxation trips (52%).
94% of American travelers who took an adventure trip in 2024 prioritized exploring new activities during adventure travel.
87% like to visit places they've never been before.
67% like to try new foods when they travel.
49% of Americans have taken a road trip or camped in the last year.
55% do so for comfort and convenience.
In 2024, 130.7 million domestic visitors traveled to Florida, a popular domestic destination for its beaches
In 2024, United Parks & Resorts locations received roughly 21.5 million visitors in the United States. Orlando is a popular destination for theme parks.
Americans are choosing to travel primarily for relaxation, even those opting for adventure travel make sure they take time to relax.
Budget constraints influence the type of activities Americans choose to do on vacation and the type of travel they can afford. 49% opted for a domestic road trip or camping trip in the past year, for convenience and cost.
Medical tourism is popular with Americans looking for more affordable treatment due to increasing medical costs in the U.S., and South America is a popular choice for cheaper medical care.
Sources: MMGY, NYU, StatisticBrain, TripAdvisor, Booking.com, TripIt, NIQ,
According to the 2024 Trends Global Survey, 80% of global travelers want to be able to book their trips entirely online .
72% of Americans preferred to book their trips online in 2024.
Compared to just 12% who used traditional travel agencies.
56% of travelers in 2024 said they research and book activities in advance, with 25% booking activities four weeks or more before their trip.
46% of travelers use search engines to plan their trips.
36% use travel review websites .
35% look for recommendations from family or friends .
31% of travelers research using hotel websites.
28% use OTAs.
In 2024, 26% of travelers used an OTA for researching flights.
36% said they used OTAs for booking flights.
43% of travelers also used OTAs for booking hotels , 28% for paid activities , and 38% for packages .
62% of adult Gen Z travelers used AI to help them save money on travel.
In 2024, 40% of travelers in the US used social media apps for travel planning.
Gen Z is particularly influenced by social media, with 89% using TikTok to discover new destinations.
46% of travelers booked their hotel and flights 1-3 months before departure.
26% made their bookings less than a month before their trip.
Data shows that most American travelers book online and like to plan early. Early planners are often looking to secure the best deals and are happy to commit early to take advantage of savings.
Online bookings are still popular with older generations who favor OTAs. Social media continues to influence travel decisions, particularly for Gen Z, with 89% of Gen Z travelers using TikTok to discover new destinations. Gen Z is also turning to AI to plan their travel and save money on trips.
Sources : TravelPerk , Xola , Statista , TripIT , SimilarWeb , WTM , Business YouGov ,
Revenue in the Travel & Tourism market is projected to reach $190.40 billion in 2023.
Inbound visitors spent $12.6 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities in the U.S. - up 105% compared to May 2021.
The U.S had the biggest tourism revenue loss in after the pandemic at $147.2 billion.
The travel industry losses were said to have far exceeded that of any other sector - approx 9 times the impact of 9/11.
COVID-19 caused global intent to book an international flight to stall between 15% and 17% of consumers from April 2020 to March 2021.
It quickly improved to 23% by June 2021 as vaccine distribution was rolled out.
81% of adults 50-plus who plan to travel in 2023 believe it’s safe to travel (up from 77% in 2021).
25% say COVID-19 is a barrier to travel, compared to about 50% who felt that way last year.
International arrivals totalled 22.1 million, up 15% from 2020 (19.2 million) and -72% from 2019 (79.4 million).
A third of travel jobs were lost when the pandemic hit in 2020.
In 2020, Travel & Tourism jobs within the U.S. declined 33.2% to 11.1 million (7.5% of total U.S. employment)
Due to COVID-19 outbound tourists in 2020 from the U.S. fell to 33.5 million, a third of the 2019 figure.
New York attracted 5.42 million foreign visitors in 2020, making it the most popular city destination in the U.S.
Domestic and international travellers spent over $680 Billion in 2020.
$642.2 billion by domestic travellers & $38.1 billion by international travellers.
In 2021, the U.S. hotel and motel market size was valued at $171.1 billion.
Price anxiety is up - Travellers are checking prices an average of 16 times prior to booking - up 33% over pre-pandemic 2019 norms.
Since the pandemic hit in 2020, the U.S. Travel & Tourism sector suffered a loss of $766 billion and lost 33.2% of its employees. The impact changed some aspects of the travel industry for good.
Travel & tourism has since started to recover with the market revenue reaching $1.2 trillion in 2022. Japan is the most searched for international destination, and Michigan is the most searched for domestic destination in 2022.
The travel industry is expected to make a full recovery by 2024 with international travel spending estimated to reach $198 billion in 2025.
Sources: Ibis World, Statista, Future Marketing Insights, ITA, AARP, Forbes, US Travel, Dream Big Travel Far, WTTC, FTF, Ibis World, Forbes,
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