Domestic leisure travel reaches 2.4 billion trips each year. Road trips account for 78 percent of domestic vacation travel. Tourism generates 2.32 trillion dollars in annual economic activity.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, 41% of US domestic trips were taken by car, totaling 1.8 billion person-trips, per US Travel Association
- Tourism contributed $2.32 trillion to US GDP in 2023, or 9.1% of total, WTTC report
- Tourism employed 2.1 million in accommodation services in 2023, BLS
- In 2023, the United States welcomed 66.5 million international visitors, marking a 31% increase from 2022 levels according to the National Travel and Tourism Office
- New York City welcomed 62.4 million tourists in 2023, including 13.5 million international, NYC Tourism
Tourism in the United States remains a major economic driver with strong visitor numbers year after year.
Related reading
01 · Category
Domestic Travel Statistics25 stats
01
In 2023, 41% of US domestic trips were taken by car, totaling 1.8 billion person-trips, per US Travel Association
02
Domestic leisure travel reached 2.4 billion trips in 2023, up 12% from 2022, U.S. Travel
03
Business domestic trips numbered 463 million in 2023, recovering to 88% of 2019, US Travel
04
Road trips accounted for 78% of domestic vacation travel in 2023, per AAA Foundation
05
Air travel for domestic purposes hit 851 million passengers in 2023, FAA data
06
RV travel saw 11.2 million households participating in 2023, RVIA stats
07
62% of Americans took at least one domestic trip in 2023 lasting 50+ miles, U.S. Travel survey
08
Domestic group travel grew 15% in 2023 to 180 million participants, Meeting Professionals International via US Travel
09
Summer 2023 saw peak domestic travel with 700 million trips, up 9%, US Travel
10
35% of domestic trips in 2023 included visits to national parks, NPS and US Travel
11
Domestic travel by millennials reached 850 million trips in 2023, 38% of total, U.S. Travel
12
Gen Z domestic trips numbered 420 million in 2023, growing fastest at 18% YoY, US Travel
13
Baby boomers took 680 million domestic trips in 2023, focused on leisure, U.S. Travel
14
Domestic auto rental days totaled 450 million in 2023, up 20%, Auto Rental News via US Travel
15
Train travel (Amtrak) carried 28.8 million passengers domestically in FY2023, Amtrak stats
16
Cruise departures from US ports served 17.6 million passengers in 2023, CLIA data
17
47% of domestic travelers used hotels in 2023, averaging 4.2 nights per trip, STR via US Travel
18
Vacation rentals hosted 140 million domestic nights in 2023, AirDNA report
19
Camping trips domestically reached 58 million in 2023, KOA survey
20
Domestic adventure travel grew 22% to 120 million participants in 2023, Adventure Travel Trade Assoc
21
29% of domestic trips involved shopping as primary activity in 2023, US Travel
22
Beach vacations accounted for 24% of domestic leisure trips in 2023, 580 million trips, U.S. Travel
23
City breaks domestically numbered 360 million in 2023, up 14%, US Travel
24
Rural tourism trips reached 290 million in 2023, growing 16%, USDA via US Travel
25
Average domestic trip spend was $1,200per traveler in 2023, adjusted for inflation, US Travel
Interpretation
Domestic Travel Statistics Interpretation
Despite a resurgence in air travel and even the occasional train, the classic American road trip—responsible for nearly four out of five vacations and a staggering 1.8 billion person-trips—firmly cemented its status as the nation's true autobahn of adventure, proving that for everything from national park pilgrimages to millennial getaways, we remain a people perpetually in the driver's seat.
02 · Category
Economic Contributions27 stats
01
Tourism contributed $2.32 trillion to US GDP in 2023, or 9.1% of total, WTTC report
02
Travel and tourism direct GDP impact was $1.1 trillion in 2023, BEA data
03
Tax revenue from tourism totaled $239 billion in 2023 at federal, state, local levels, US Travel
04
International visitor spending reached $194.5 billion in 2023, up 57% from 2022, NTTO
05
Domestic traveler spending was $1.15 trillion in 2023, US Travel Association
06
Tourism exports (international spending) hit $205 billion in 2023, BEA
07
Hotel industry revenue surpassed $250 billion in 2023, STR Global
08
Food and beverage tourism sales were $380 billion in 2023, National Restaurant Assoc via US Travel
09
Retail sales from tourists amounted to $290 billion in 2023, ShopperTrak and US Travel
10
Gaming industry tourism revenue was $62 billion in 2023, American Gaming Assoc
11
Air transportation contributed $170 billion to GDP from tourism in 2023, ATA
12
Rental car sector generated $45 billion in revenue from travelers in 2023, Auto Rental News
13
Cruise tourism added $50 billion to US economy in 2023, CLIA economic study
14
National parks tourism generated $52 billion in economic output in 2023, NPS
15
Sports tourism events contributed $48 billion in 2023, Sports Events & Tourism Assoc
16
Medical tourism inbound spending was $5.8 billion in 2023, Medical Tourism Assoc
17
Ecotourism sector output reached $120 billion in 2023, USGS and US Travel estimates
18
Film-induced tourism added $10 billion in 2023, Oxford Economics study
19
Wedding tourism spending totaled $70 billion in 2023, The Knot survey
20
Conference and meetings industry generated $95 billion in 2023, PCMA via US Travel
21
Music festival tourism contributed $15 billion in 2023, Pollstar data
22
Tourism multiplier effect amplified direct spending by 1.8x in 2023, WTTC
23
Travel and tourism supported 15.4 million jobs in 2023, 7.6% of total employment, WTTC
24
Direct tourism employment was 9.8 million jobs in 2023, US Travel
25
Leisure hospitality jobs from tourism hit 10.2 million in 2023, BLS data
26
Tourism industry labor income totaled $900 billion in 2023, BEA TTSA
27
Travel and tourism added 2.9% to US personal income growth in 2023, BEA
Interpretation
Economic Contributions Interpretation
Forget "I'm on vacation," because it's the entire US economy that's saying it, to the tune of over two trillion dollars, nearly ten percent of our GDP, and a thank-you note from over fifteen million employed Americans whose jobs are fueled by everything from national park visits to hotel stays and convention coffee runs.
03 · Category
Employment in Tourism21 stats
01
Tourism employed 2.1 million in accommodation services in 2023, BLS
02
Food services and drinking places had 12.5 million tourism-related jobs in 2023, BLS QCEW
03
Arts, entertainment, and recreation supported 2.8 million jobs tied to tourism in 2023, BLS
04
Air transportation employed 500,000 in tourism roles in 2023, ATA and BLS
05
Traveler accommodation subsector had 1.9 million jobs in 2023, up 5% YoY, BLS
06
Gaming industry tourism jobs numbered 750,000 in 2023, AGA
07
National parks tourism supported 400,000 jobs in 2023, NPS economic report
08
Cruise port operations employed 350,000 directly in 2023, CLIA
09
Tour operators and guides had 250,000 jobs in 2023, BLS NAICS 561520
10
Retail trade tourism jobs were 1.2 million in 2023, BLS
11
Car rental and leasing employed 180,000 in tourism in 2023, BLS
12
Travel agencies supported 110,000 jobs in 2023, BLS NAICS 561510
13
Amusement parks and arcades had 300,000 seasonal tourism jobs in 2023, BLS
14
Museums and historical sites employed 220,000 in tourism roles 2023, BLS
15
Performing arts venues supported 150,000 jobs from tourists in 2023, BLS NAICS 711100
16
Sports and recreation camps had 90,000 jobs in 2023, BLS
17
Lodging services in rural areas employed 450,000 in tourism 2023, USDA BLS cross-data
18
Convention centers and event spaces had 280,000 tourism jobs in 2023, TSNN
19
Ski resorts employed 120,000 seasonally in tourism 2023, NSAA
20
Beaches and coastal tourism supported 1.1 million jobs in 2023, NOAA
21
Ecotourism guides and outfitters numbered 80,000 jobs in 2023, ATTA
Interpretation
Employment in Tourism Interpretation
If we took away the 25 million tourism-related jobs spread across every imaginable hospitality and service sector in the United States, from casinos to national parks, we’d be left with a lot of unemployed bartenders, pilots, and park rangers—and a nation suddenly remembering how hard it is to make its own fun.
More related reading
04 · Category
International Visitor Statistics29 stats
01
In 2023, the United States welcomed 66.5 million international visitors, marking a 31% increase from 2022 levels according to the National Travel and Tourism Office
02
Overseas visitors to the US numbered 50.2 million in 2023, up 41% year-over-year, per NTTO data
03
Canada sent 21.4 million visitors to the US in 2023, accounting for 32% of all international arrivals, from Statistics Canada and NTTO
04
Mexico contributed 17.8 million visitors to the US in 2023, the second-largest source market, via US Customs and Border Protection stats
05
The UK ranked third with 4.6 million visitors to the US in 2023, a 28% rise from 2022, according to NTTO
06
In 2023, 11.2 million visitors from Europe arrived in the US, recovering to 86% of 2019 levels, per ITA reports
07
Asia-Pacific visitors totaled 8.7 million in 2023, with Japan leading at 2.1 million, from NTTO monthly reports
08
Business travel accounted for 22% of international visits to the US in 2023, or about 14.6 million trips, via I-94 data analysis
09
Leisure travel made up 72% of the 66.5 million international visits in 2023, equating to 47.9 million trips, NTTO stats
10
VFR (visiting friends and relatives) trips numbered 12.3 million internationally in 2023, 18.5% of total, per NTTO survey
11
Air arrivals from abroad hit 51.8 million in 2023, 78% of pre-pandemic levels, US Dept of Commerce
12
Land border crossings from Canada and Mexico totaled 47.1 million visits in 2023, CBP data
13
Germany sent 2.3 million tourists to the US in 2023, up 35% from 2022, NTTO
14
South Korea contributed 1.8 million visitors in 2023, recovering strongly post-COVID, per NTTO
15
Australia visitors reached 1.1 million in 2023, 92% of 2019 figures, ITA stats
16
Brazil sent 1.4 million visitors in 2023 despite economic challenges, NTTO data
17
India’s visitors to the US grew to 1.2 million in 2023, a 50% increase YoY, per NTTO
18
China visitors were 1.7 million in 2023, still at 40% of 2019 levels due to visa issues, NTTO
19
France contributed 2.1 million tourists in 2023, up 29%, European Travel Commission via NTTO
20
Italy visitors numbered 1.9 million in 2023, strong recovery in leisure travel, NTTO
21
Netherlands sent 1.5 million visitors in 2023, per NTTO market profiles
22
Spain’s outbound to US was 1.3 million in 2023, growing 25%, NTTO
23
Average length of stay for international visitors was 17.2 days in 2023, NTTO survey
24
68% of international visitors in 2023 flew into gateway airports like NYC, MIA, LAX, per FAA and NTTO
25
Repeat visitors comprised 54% of international arrivals in 2023, NTTO data
26
First-time international visitors were 30.6 million in 2023, up from 22 million in 2022, NTTO
27
In 2023, 24% of international visitors were under 35 years old, skewing younger post-pandemic, NTTO survey
28
Families with children made up 19% of international visits in 2023, per NTTO
29
Solo travelers accounted for 15% of international arrivals in 2023, NTTO
Interpretation
International Visitor Statistics Interpretation
America has rolled out the red carpet and the world is RSVPing with a record-breaking 66.5 million visits in 2023, where our neighbors Canada and Mexico lead the party, leisure travel claims the spotlight, and while some like China are still stuck in traffic, the global guest list is booming and skewing younger.
05 · Category
Top Destinations and Attractions28 stats
01
New York City welcomed 62.4 million tourists in 2023, including 13.5 million international, NYC Tourism
02
Florida received 140.6 million visitors in 2023, up 2.2% YoY, VISIT Florida
03
California hosted 235 million domestic and international tourists in 2023, Visit California
04
Las Vegas saw 40.8 million visitors in 2023, LVCVA
05
Orlando attracted 74 million visitors in 2023, 75% for theme parks, Visit Orlando
06
Grand Canyon National Park had 4.7 million visitors in 2023, NPS stats
07
Great Smoky Mountains NP drew 12.5 million visitors in 2023, highest in US, NPS
08
Yellowstone NP welcomed 4.5 million in 2023, NPS
09
Disney World in Florida had 17.2 million gate admissions in FY2023, Themed Entertainment Assoc
10
Universal Orlando Resort saw 9.8 million visitors in 2023, TEA/AECOM
11
Niagara Falls (US side) attracted 8.9 million visitors in 2023, NY State Tourism
12
Hawaii islands hosted 9.6 million visitors in 2023, HTA
13
Miami welcomed 26.4 million overnight visitors in 2023, GMCVB
14
San Francisco Bay Area had 24 million visitors in 2023, SFTVB
15
Chicago drew 55 million visitors in 2023, Choose Chicago
16
Boston attracted 20.5 million tourists in 2023, GBTA
17
Washington DC hosted 22 million visitors in 2023, Destination DC
18
Yellowstone had 1.2 million overnight stays in 2023, NPS lodging data
19
Times Square NYC saw 50 million pedestrians daily average in 2023, TSQTB
20
Golden Gate Bridge had 10 million vehicle crossings by tourists in 2023, GGB District
21
Statue of Liberty drew 4.1 million visitors in 2023, NPS
22
Las Vegas Strip hotels had 85% occupancy average in 2023, LVCVA
23
South Beach Miami beaches saw 15 million visitors in 2023, GMCVB
24
Mall of America attracted 40 million in 2023, MOA stats
25
Alcatraz Island had 1.4 million visitors in 2023, NPS
26
Mount Rushmore drew 2.1 million in 2023, NPS
27
Everglades NP hosted 1.2 million visitors in 2023, NPS
28
Zion NP saw 4.3 million visitors in 2023, record high, NPS
Interpretation
Top Destinations and Attractions Interpretation
America’s tourism story is a hilarious yet earnest competition where the rollercoasters of Orlando, the casinos of Vegas, and the canyons of Arizona all clamor for attention, but somehow everyone still ends up crammed together in Times Square.
Reference
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APA
Stefan Wendt. (2026, February 13). Tourism In The United States Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/tourism-in-the-united-states-statistics
MLA
Stefan Wendt. "Tourism In The United States Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/tourism-in-the-united-states-statistics.
Chicago
Stefan Wendt. 2026. "Tourism In The United States Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/tourism-in-the-united-states-statistics.
Sources & references
45 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level