Fueled by a staggering 66.5 million international visitors in 2023 alone, American tourism isn't just back—it’s roaring louder than ever, transforming the landscape of domestic and global travel with historic numbers that tell a story of remarkable recovery and enduring appeal.
Key Takeaways
- 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
- Overseas visitors to the US numbered 50.2 million in 2023, up 41% year-over-year, per NTTO data
- Canada sent 21.4 million visitors to the US in 2023, accounting for 32% of all international arrivals, from Statistics Canada and NTTO
- In 2023, 41% of US domestic trips were taken by car, totaling 1.8 billion person-trips, per US Travel Association
- Domestic leisure travel reached 2.4 billion trips in 2023, up 12% from 2022, U.S. Travel
- Business domestic trips numbered 463 million in 2023, recovering to 88% of 2019, US Travel
- Tourism contributed $2.32 trillion to US GDP in 2023, or 9.1% of total, WTTC report
- Travel and tourism direct GDP impact was $1.1 trillion in 2023, BEA data
- Tax revenue from tourism totaled $239 billion in 2023 at federal, state, local levels, US Travel
- Tourism employed 2.1 million in accommodation services in 2023, BLS
- Food services and drinking places had 12.5 million tourism-related jobs in 2023, BLS QCEW
- Arts, entertainment, and recreation supported 2.8 million jobs tied to tourism in 2023, BLS
- New York City welcomed 62.4 million tourists in 2023, including 13.5 million international, NYC Tourism
- Florida received 140.6 million visitors in 2023, up 2.2% YoY, VISIT Florida
- California hosted 235 million domestic and international tourists in 2023, Visit California
U.S. tourism surged in 2023 with strong recovery in both international and domestic travel.
Domestic Travel Statistics
1In 2023, 41% of US domestic trips were taken by car, totaling 1.8 billion person-trips, per US Travel Association
Verified2Domestic leisure travel reached 2.4 billion trips in 2023, up 12% from 2022, U.S. Travel
Verified3Business domestic trips numbered 463 million in 2023, recovering to 88% of 2019, US Travel
Verified4Road trips accounted for 78% of domestic vacation travel in 2023, per AAA Foundation
Directional5Air travel for domestic purposes hit 851 million passengers in 2023, FAA data
Single source6RV travel saw 11.2 million households participating in 2023, RVIA stats
Verified762% of Americans took at least one domestic trip in 2023 lasting 50+ miles, U.S. Travel survey
Verified8Domestic group travel grew 15% in 2023 to 180 million participants, Meeting Professionals International via US Travel
Verified9Summer 2023 saw peak domestic travel with 700 million trips, up 9%, US Travel
Directional1035% of domestic trips in 2023 included visits to national parks, NPS and US Travel
Single source11Domestic travel by millennials reached 850 million trips in 2023, 38% of total, U.S. Travel
Verified12Gen Z domestic trips numbered 420 million in 2023, growing fastest at 18% YoY, US Travel
Verified13Baby boomers took 680 million domestic trips in 2023, focused on leisure, U.S. Travel
Verified14Domestic auto rental days totaled 450 million in 2023, up 20%, Auto Rental News via US Travel
Directional15Train travel (Amtrak) carried 28.8 million passengers domestically in FY2023, Amtrak stats
Single source16Cruise departures from US ports served 17.6 million passengers in 2023, CLIA data
Verified1747% of domestic travelers used hotels in 2023, averaging 4.2 nights per trip, STR via US Travel
Verified18Vacation rentals hosted 140 million domestic nights in 2023, AirDNA report
Verified19Camping trips domestically reached 58 million in 2023, KOA survey
Directional20Domestic adventure travel grew 22% to 120 million participants in 2023, Adventure Travel Trade Assoc
Single source2129% of domestic trips involved shopping as primary activity in 2023, US Travel
Verified22Beach vacations accounted for 24% of domestic leisure trips in 2023, 580 million trips, U.S. Travel
Verified23City breaks domestically numbered 360 million in 2023, up 14%, US Travel
Verified24Rural tourism trips reached 290 million in 2023, growing 16%, USDA via US Travel
Directional25Average domestic trip spend was $1,200 per traveler in 2023, adjusted for inflation, US Travel
Single sourceDomestic 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.
Economic Contributions
1Tourism contributed $2.32 trillion to US GDP in 2023, or 9.1% of total, WTTC report
Verified2Travel and tourism direct GDP impact was $1.1 trillion in 2023, BEA data
Verified3Tax revenue from tourism totaled $239 billion in 2023 at federal, state, local levels, US Travel
Verified4International visitor spending reached $194.5 billion in 2023, up 57% from 2022, NTTO
Directional5Domestic traveler spending was $1.15 trillion in 2023, US Travel Association
Single source6Tourism exports (international spending) hit $205 billion in 2023, BEA
Verified7Hotel industry revenue surpassed $250 billion in 2023, STR Global
Verified8Food and beverage tourism sales were $380 billion in 2023, National Restaurant Assoc via US Travel
Verified9Retail sales from tourists amounted to $290 billion in 2023, ShopperTrak and US Travel
Directional10Gaming industry tourism revenue was $62 billion in 2023, American Gaming Assoc
Single source11Air transportation contributed $170 billion to GDP from tourism in 2023, ATA
Verified12Rental car sector generated $45 billion in revenue from travelers in 2023, Auto Rental News
Verified13Cruise tourism added $50 billion to US economy in 2023, CLIA economic study
Verified14National parks tourism generated $52 billion in economic output in 2023, NPS
Directional15Sports tourism events contributed $48 billion in 2023, Sports Events & Tourism Assoc
Single source16Medical tourism inbound spending was $5.8 billion in 2023, Medical Tourism Assoc
Verified17Ecotourism sector output reached $120 billion in 2023, USGS and US Travel estimates
Verified18Film-induced tourism added $10 billion in 2023, Oxford Economics study
Verified19Wedding tourism spending totaled $70 billion in 2023, The Knot survey
Directional20Conference and meetings industry generated $95 billion in 2023, PCMA via US Travel
Single source21Music festival tourism contributed $15 billion in 2023, Pollstar data
Verified22Tourism multiplier effect amplified direct spending by 1.8x in 2023, WTTC
Verified23Travel and tourism supported 15.4 million jobs in 2023, 7.6% of total employment, WTTC
Verified24Direct tourism employment was 9.8 million jobs in 2023, US Travel
Directional25Leisure hospitality jobs from tourism hit 10.2 million in 2023, BLS data
Single source26Tourism industry labor income totaled $900 billion in 2023, BEA TTSA
Verified27Travel and tourism added 2.9% to US personal income growth in 2023, BEA
VerifiedEconomic 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.
Employment in Tourism
1Tourism employed 2.1 million in accommodation services in 2023, BLS
Verified2Food services and drinking places had 12.5 million tourism-related jobs in 2023, BLS QCEW
Verified3Arts, entertainment, and recreation supported 2.8 million jobs tied to tourism in 2023, BLS
Verified4Air transportation employed 500,000 in tourism roles in 2023, ATA and BLS
Directional5Traveler accommodation subsector had 1.9 million jobs in 2023, up 5% YoY, BLS
Single source6Gaming industry tourism jobs numbered 750,000 in 2023, AGA
Verified7National parks tourism supported 400,000 jobs in 2023, NPS economic report
Verified8Cruise port operations employed 350,000 directly in 2023, CLIA
Verified9Tour operators and guides had 250,000 jobs in 2023, BLS NAICS 561520
Directional10Retail trade tourism jobs were 1.2 million in 2023, BLS
Single source11Car rental and leasing employed 180,000 in tourism in 2023, BLS
Verified12Travel agencies supported 110,000 jobs in 2023, BLS NAICS 561510
Verified13Amusement parks and arcades had 300,000 seasonal tourism jobs in 2023, BLS
Verified14Museums and historical sites employed 220,000 in tourism roles 2023, BLS
Directional15Performing arts venues supported 150,000 jobs from tourists in 2023, BLS NAICS 711100
Single source16Sports and recreation camps had 90,000 jobs in 2023, BLS
Verified17Lodging services in rural areas employed 450,000 in tourism 2023, USDA BLS cross-data
Verified18Convention centers and event spaces had 280,000 tourism jobs in 2023, TSNN
Verified19Ski resorts employed 120,000 seasonally in tourism 2023, NSAA
Directional20Beaches and coastal tourism supported 1.1 million jobs in 2023, NOAA
Single source21Ecotourism guides and outfitters numbered 80,000 jobs in 2023, ATTA
VerifiedEmployment 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.
International Visitor Statistics
1In 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
Verified2Overseas visitors to the US numbered 50.2 million in 2023, up 41% year-over-year, per NTTO data
Verified3Canada sent 21.4 million visitors to the US in 2023, accounting for 32% of all international arrivals, from Statistics Canada and NTTO
Verified4Mexico contributed 17.8 million visitors to the US in 2023, the second-largest source market, via US Customs and Border Protection stats
Directional5The UK ranked third with 4.6 million visitors to the US in 2023, a 28% rise from 2022, according to NTTO
Single source6In 2023, 11.2 million visitors from Europe arrived in the US, recovering to 86% of 2019 levels, per ITA reports
Verified7Asia-Pacific visitors totaled 8.7 million in 2023, with Japan leading at 2.1 million, from NTTO monthly reports
Verified8Business travel accounted for 22% of international visits to the US in 2023, or about 14.6 million trips, via I-94 data analysis
Verified9Leisure travel made up 72% of the 66.5 million international visits in 2023, equating to 47.9 million trips, NTTO stats
Directional10VFR (visiting friends and relatives) trips numbered 12.3 million internationally in 2023, 18.5% of total, per NTTO survey
Single source11Air arrivals from abroad hit 51.8 million in 2023, 78% of pre-pandemic levels, US Dept of Commerce
Verified12Land border crossings from Canada and Mexico totaled 47.1 million visits in 2023, CBP data
Verified13Germany sent 2.3 million tourists to the US in 2023, up 35% from 2022, NTTO
Verified14South Korea contributed 1.8 million visitors in 2023, recovering strongly post-COVID, per NTTO
Directional15Australia visitors reached 1.1 million in 2023, 92% of 2019 figures, ITA stats
Single source16Brazil sent 1.4 million visitors in 2023 despite economic challenges, NTTO data
Verified17India’s visitors to the US grew to 1.2 million in 2023, a 50% increase YoY, per NTTO
Verified18China visitors were 1.7 million in 2023, still at 40% of 2019 levels due to visa issues, NTTO
Verified19France contributed 2.1 million tourists in 2023, up 29%, European Travel Commission via NTTO
Directional20Italy visitors numbered 1.9 million in 2023, strong recovery in leisure travel, NTTO
Single source21Netherlands sent 1.5 million visitors in 2023, per NTTO market profiles
Verified22Spain’s outbound to US was 1.3 million in 2023, growing 25%, NTTO
Verified23Average length of stay for international visitors was 17.2 days in 2023, NTTO survey
Verified2468% of international visitors in 2023 flew into gateway airports like NYC, MIA, LAX, per FAA and NTTO
Directional25Repeat visitors comprised 54% of international arrivals in 2023, NTTO data
Single source26First-time international visitors were 30.6 million in 2023, up from 22 million in 2022, NTTO
Verified27In 2023, 24% of international visitors were under 35 years old, skewing younger post-pandemic, NTTO survey
Verified28Families with children made up 19% of international visits in 2023, per NTTO
Verified29Solo travelers accounted for 15% of international arrivals in 2023, NTTO
DirectionalInternational 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.
Top Destinations and Attractions
1New York City welcomed 62.4 million tourists in 2023, including 13.5 million international, NYC Tourism
Verified2Florida received 140.6 million visitors in 2023, up 2.2% YoY, VISIT Florida
Verified3California hosted 235 million domestic and international tourists in 2023, Visit California
Verified4Las Vegas saw 40.8 million visitors in 2023, LVCVA
Directional5Orlando attracted 74 million visitors in 2023, 75% for theme parks, Visit Orlando
Single source6Grand Canyon National Park had 4.7 million visitors in 2023, NPS stats
Verified7Great Smoky Mountains NP drew 12.5 million visitors in 2023, highest in US, NPS
Verified8Yellowstone NP welcomed 4.5 million in 2023, NPS
Verified9Disney World in Florida had 17.2 million gate admissions in FY2023, Themed Entertainment Assoc
Directional10Universal Orlando Resort saw 9.8 million visitors in 2023, TEA/AECOM
Single source11Niagara Falls (US side) attracted 8.9 million visitors in 2023, NY State Tourism
Verified12Hawaii islands hosted 9.6 million visitors in 2023, HTA
Verified13Miami welcomed 26.4 million overnight visitors in 2023, GMCVB
Verified14San Francisco Bay Area had 24 million visitors in 2023, SFTVB
Directional15Chicago drew 55 million visitors in 2023, Choose Chicago
Single source16Boston attracted 20.5 million tourists in 2023, GBTA
Verified17Washington DC hosted 22 million visitors in 2023, Destination DC
Verified18Yellowstone had 1.2 million overnight stays in 2023, NPS lodging data
Verified19Times Square NYC saw 50 million pedestrians daily average in 2023, TSQTB
Directional20Golden Gate Bridge had 10 million vehicle crossings by tourists in 2023, GGB District
Single source21Statue of Liberty drew 4.1 million visitors in 2023, NPS
Verified22Las Vegas Strip hotels had 85% occupancy average in 2023, LVCVA
Verified23South Beach Miami beaches saw 15 million visitors in 2023, GMCVB
Verified24Mall of America attracted 40 million in 2023, MOA stats
Directional25Alcatraz Island had 1.4 million visitors in 2023, NPS
Single source26Mount Rushmore drew 2.1 million in 2023, NPS
Verified27Everglades NP hosted 1.2 million visitors in 2023, NPS
Verified28Zion NP saw 4.3 million visitors in 2023, record high, NPS
VerifiedTop 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.
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