Americ wanderlust roared back to life in 2023, with a staggering 2.41 billion domestic trips showcasing a nation back on the move, while international travel surged as nearly 80 million Americans set their sights abroad.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, Americans took 2.41 billion domestic trips, marking a 12.7% increase from 2022
- Domestic leisure travel reached 1.83 billion person-trips in 2023, up 17.3% year-over-year
- U.S. domestic business travel hit 579 million trips in 2023, recovering to 96% of pre-pandemic levels
- In 2023, 79 million Americans traveled abroad, a 34% increase from 2022
- U.S. outbound travel to Europe reached 28 million trips in 2023
- Mexico hosted 47 million U.S. visitors in 2023, up 12% from 2022
- Domestic air passengers in the U.S. reached 927 million in 2023
- Total U.S. vehicle miles traveled hit 3.264 trillion in 2023, up 2.5%
- Amtrak carried 28.7 million passengers in FY2023, a 12% increase
- U.S. travel exports generated $233 billion in 2023
- Travel and tourism contributed $2.36 trillion to U.S. GDP in 2023, or 2.97%
- Tourism supported 9.8 million American jobs in 2023
- 54% of Americans aged 18-34 traveled in 2023
- Millennials took average 3.2 trips per year in 2023 surveys
- 68% of Gen Z prioritize sustainable travel practices in 2023
Americans traveled at record levels both at home and abroad last year.
Domestic Travel Statistics
- In 2023, Americans took 2.41 billion domestic trips, marking a 12.7% increase from 2022
- Domestic leisure travel reached 1.83 billion person-trips in 2023, up 17.3% year-over-year
- U.S. domestic business travel hit 579 million trips in 2023, recovering to 96% of pre-pandemic levels
- 78% of Americans planned at least one domestic vacation in 2023, averaging 2.5 trips per person
- Road trips accounted for 78% of domestic travel trips in 2023, totaling 1.88 billion trips
- National parks saw 331.9 million recreation visits in 2023, a 2% increase from 2022
- Florida welcomed 140.6 million visitors in 2023, up 1.5% from the previous year
- California domestic tourism generated 112 million overnight stays in 2023
- 42 million Americans visited Las Vegas for domestic trips in 2023
- New York City hosted 62.2 million domestic tourists in 2023, a 7.1% rise
- Domestic auto travel miles driven reached 3.2 trillion in 2023
- 65% of domestic trips were for leisure purposes in Q4 2023
- U.S. RV shipments hit 412,954 units in 2023, boosting domestic camping travel
- Domestic beach vacations surged 15% in summer 2023, with 120 million trips
- 28 million domestic trips to theme parks occurred in 2023, led by Disney World
- Midwest region saw 450 million domestic overnight trips in 2023
- 55% of Americans drove to their domestic destinations in 2023 surveys
- Domestic holiday travel peaked at 70.6 million trips over Thanksgiving 2023
- 1.2 billion domestic nights spent in hotels in 2023
- Pacific Northwest domestic visits grew 8% to 150 million in 2023
- 90 million Americans took short-haul domestic flights in 2023
- Domestic ski trips numbered 59 million in 2022-2023 season
- 75 million domestic trips to national forests in 2023
- Southeast U.S. domestic leisure trips hit 800 million in 2023
- 35% of domestic travel involved family groups in 2023
- Domestic adventure travel grew 20% to 250 million participants in 2023
- 1.1 billion domestic vehicle miles for vacation travel in July 2023
- Hawaii domestic arrivals reached 7.5 million in 2023
- 48% of Americans prioritized domestic travel post-pandemic in 2023 polls
- Domestic group travel bookings rose 25% in 2023 to 300 million participants
Domestic Travel Statistics Interpretation
Even as the ghosts of Zoom meetings lingered in 2023, Americans decisively chose the open road over the open tab, swapping business casual for National Park passes and transforming pent-up restlessness into nearly 2.5 billion trips that proved travel isn’t just an escape, but a resurgent national pastime.
Economic Impact Statistics
- U.S. travel exports generated $233 billion in 2023
- Travel and tourism contributed $2.36 trillion to U.S. GDP in 2023, or 2.97%
- Tourism supported 9.8 million American jobs in 2023
- Domestic traveler spending reached $1.11 trillion in 2023
- International visitor spending totaled $181 billion in 2023
- Hotel industry revenue hit $238 billion in 2023
- Airlines generated $160 billion in passenger revenue in 2023
- Travel retail sales reached $120 billion in U.S. airports 2023
- Tourism tax revenues: $50 billion to state/local govts in 2023
- Car rental industry revenue: $35 billion from leisure travel 2023
- Food and beverage spending by travelers: $300 billion in 2023
- Attractions and entertainment: $120 billion traveler spend 2023
- Lodging taxes generated $22 billion for U.S. communities in 2023
- Travel supports 1 in 9 U.S. jobs, or 15.3 million in 2023
- Gaming industry from tourism: $60 billion in 2023
- Outdoor recreation economy: $689 billion GDP contribution 2023
- Business travel spending: $334 billion in 2023
- Souvenir and gift shop sales: $25 billion from travelers 2023
- Gas stations earned $150 billion from road trippers in 2023
- Travel agencies booked $100 billion in trips in 2023
- National parks tourism impact: $50.3 billion economy 2023
- Cruise line economic impact: $64 billion including spending 2023
Economic Impact Statistics Interpretation
While our national pastime might be arguing online, our actual national economy is quietly and profoundly fueled by the glorious, chaotic, and essential human urge to simply get out of there.
International Travel Statistics
- In 2023, 79 million Americans traveled abroad, a 34% increase from 2022
- U.S. outbound travel to Europe reached 28 million trips in 2023
- Mexico hosted 47 million U.S. visitors in 2023, up 12% from 2022
- Canada welcomed 14.5 million U.S. tourists in 2023, recovering 85% pre-pandemic
- U.S. passports issued hit 13.5 million in 2023, fueling international travel
- Caribbean region saw 11.2 million U.S. arrivals in 2023
- Asia-Pacific drew 4.8 million U.S. travelers in 2023, up 50% YoY
- 62% of international trips from U.S. were for leisure in 2023
- U.S. spending abroad totaled $174 billion in 2023
- UK received 4.9 million U.S. visitors in 2023
- Italy saw 5.2 million American tourists in 2023, a record high
- 25 million U.S. trips to Canada/Mexico combined in 2023 by car
- France hosted 3.8 million U.S. travelers in 2023, up 15%
- International air passengers from U.S. airports: 128 million departures in 2023
- Dominican Republic welcomed 3.5 million U.S. visitors in 2023
- 18% growth in U.S. travel to Japan, reaching 1.6 million in 2023
- Spain attracted 3.1 million Americans in 2023
- Cruise passengers from U.S. to international ports: 17.2 million in 2023
- U.S. outbound business travel: 12 million trips in 2023
- Germany saw 2.2 million U.S. tourists in 2023
- Australia hosted 700,000 U.S. visitors in 2023, recovering strongly
- 41% of U.S. international travelers visited multiple countries in 2023 trips
- Bahamas received 1.8 million U.S. tourists in 2023
- U.S. travel to Costa Rica surged 25% to 700,000 in 2023
- Ireland welcomed 1.5 million Americans in 2023
- Thailand saw 900,000 U.S. arrivals in 2023
- Jamaica hosted 1.4 million U.S. visitors in 2023, up 10%
International Travel Statistics Interpretation
The collective American psyche clearly decided in 2023 that a passport stamp was the best therapy money could buy, launching a mass, multi-billion dollar exodus to eat, drink, and occasionally conduct business on nearly every continent, with a particular fondness for our neighbors' backyards and Europe's ancient charm.
Transportation Statistics
- Domestic air passengers in the U.S. reached 927 million in 2023
- Total U.S. vehicle miles traveled hit 3.264 trillion in 2023, up 2.5%
- Amtrak carried 28.7 million passengers in FY2023, a 12% increase
- U.S. airlines operated 10.5 million domestic flights in 2023
- Highway travel accounted for 88% of U.S. person-miles in 2023
- Cruise passengers from U.S. ports totaled 21.7 million in 2023
- Greyhound and intercity buses carried 45 million passengers in 2023
- U.S. commercial airlines flew 1.2 trillion passenger miles in 2023
- Ferry services transported 25 million passengers in 2023
- Rideshare trips reached 7.5 billion in U.S. urban areas in 2023
- Average U.S. flight delay was 20 minutes in 2023
- 1.65 million general aviation operations at U.S. airports in 2023
- Electric vehicle road trips doubled to 500,000 in 2023
- Rail freight supporting travel logistics: 1.7 trillion ton-miles in 2023
- U.S. airports handled 1,118 million enplanements in 2023
- Bicycle tourism miles totaled 1.2 billion in 2023
- Carpool/vanpool trips: 15% of U.S. commutes, 50 million daily in 2023
- Charter bus passengers for travel: 200 million in 2023
- Average speed on U.S. interstates: 64 mph in 2023 travel data
- Private jet flights for travel: 2.5 million in 2023, up 10%
- Motorcycle travel miles: 20 billion in 2023
Transportation Statistics Interpretation
We are a nation in relentless motion, a continent perpetually in transit, desperately trying to reach everything except a consensus on how to get there.
Traveler Behavior and Demographics
- 54% of Americans aged 18-34 traveled in 2023
- Millennials took average 3.2 trips per year in 2023 surveys
- 68% of Gen Z prioritize sustainable travel practices in 2023
- Average American trip length: 6.4 nights in 2023
- 72% of families traveled with children under 18 in 2023
- Solo travel among women rose to 32% of trips in 2023
- 45% of travelers used mobile apps for booking in 2023
- Boomers (55+) accounted for 28% of all U.S. trips in 2023
- 61% of travelers seek authentic local experiences in 2023
- Hispanic Americans traveled 15% more than average in 2023
- 84% of travelers check reviews before booking in 2023
- Budget travelers (under $1,500/trip) made 40% of trips in 2023
- 52% of Americans prefer road trips over flying in 2023 polls
- LGBTQ+ travelers spent 25% more per trip in 2023
- 70% of remote workers combined work with leisure travel 2023
- Average household income of travelers: $85,000 in 2023 data
- 38% of trips involved visiting friends/relatives in 2023
- Pet-friendly travel bookings up 30% to 20 million trips 2023
- 67% of travelers aged 35-54 book online independently 2023
- African American travelers grew 20% in spending 2023
- 55% prioritize health/safety in destination choice 2023
- Adventure seekers (25-44) took 1.5 billion miles traveled 2023
- 49% of low-income households (<$50k) still traveled in 2023
Traveler Behavior and Demographics Interpretation
While younger generations are increasingly adventurous and socially conscious, the collective American travel scene in 2023 was a chaotic but determined orchestra of road-tripping families, solo women, remote workers, and every possible budget, all just trying to get a decent review and an authentic taco without their dog or mother-in-law causing a scene.
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