The data is undeniable: from the record-breaking 66.5 million international arrivals and 2.4 billion domestic leisure trips to a colossal $1.2 trillion in spending and millions of jobs supported, American tourism in 2023 wasn't just back—it exploded into a powerful economic and cultural force.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the United States welcomed 66.5 million international visitors, marking a 26% increase from 2022.
- Domestic leisure travel trips by U.S. residents reached 2.4 billion in 2023, up 5% from the previous year.
- New York City saw 62.1 million tourists in 2023, including 13.5 million international visitors.
- International visitors spent an average of $4,000 per trip in the U.S. in 2023.
- Total U.S. travel spending reached $1.2 trillion in 2023.
- Domestic travelers spent $861 billion on trips in 2023.
- Travel and tourism contributed $2.3 trillion to U.S. GDP in 2023, or 2.9% of total GDP.
- Tourism supported 9.8 million American jobs in 2023.
- Travel exports from tourism reached $235 billion in 2023.
- Travel and tourism created 1.2 million new jobs in 2023.
- Leisure and hospitality sector employed 16.9 million in 2023.
- Hotels and accommodations supported 2.8 million jobs in 2023.
- U.S. travel spending is projected to reach $1.6 trillion by 2027.
- International arrivals expected to hit 90 million by 2028.
- Sustainable tourism practices adopted by 65% of U.S. destinations by 2024.
U.S. tourism surged in 2023 with record visitors and major economic impact.
Economic Contributions
- Travel and tourism contributed $2.3 trillion to U.S. GDP in 2023, or 2.9% of total GDP.
- Tourism supported 9.8 million American jobs in 2023.
- Travel exports from tourism reached $235 billion in 2023.
- State and local tax revenue from tourism was $190 billion in 2023.
- Tourism's share of U.S. employment was 6.1% in 2023.
- Direct GDP contribution from tourism was $1.1 trillion in 2023.
- Induced economic impact of tourism spending was $800 billion in 2023.
- Tourism generated $66 billion in federal taxes in 2023.
- Leisure travel drove 70% of tourism GDP impact in 2023.
- Business travel contributed $400 billion to GDP in 2023.
- International tourism added $150 billion to trade surplus in 2023.
- Rural tourism economies grew by 12% in GDP terms in 2023.
- Theme parks contributed $50 billion to U.S. GDP in 2023.
- Travel retail sales reached $200 billion in 2023.
- Tourism investment in infrastructure hit $100 billion in 2023.
- Total tourism GDP impact expected at $3 trillion by 2033.
- Tourism labor income reached $300 billion in 2023.
- Personal travel and tourism spending up 12.5% in Q4 2023.
- Travel and tourism industry grew GDP by 5.7% in 2023.
Economic Contributions Interpretation
The numbers don't lie: tourism is the engine humming under America's economy, quietly funding government, filling Main Street, and proving that whether we're traveling for Mickey Mouse or a mouse trap sales meeting, we're all on the same road trip to prosperity.
Employment Impact
- Travel and tourism created 1.2 million new jobs in 2023.
- Leisure and hospitality sector employed 16.9 million in 2023.
- Hotels and accommodations supported 2.8 million jobs in 2023.
- Airlines employed 500,000 directly from tourism in 2023.
- Food services jobs from tourism totaled 12 million in 2023.
- Travel agencies and tour operators employed 150,000 in 2023.
- Amusement and recreation jobs reached 1.5 million in 2023.
- Car rental services supported 100,000 jobs in 2023.
- Cruise industry employed 400,000 U.S. workers in 2023.
- National parks tourism sustained 400,000 jobs in 2023.
- Gaming industry jobs from tourists hit 700,000 in 2023.
- Retail jobs supported by tourism were 2 million in 2023.
- Arts, entertainment, and recreation employed 2.9 million in 2023.
- Visitor centers and information services jobs totaled 50,000 in 2023.
- Domestic tourism employment share was 80% of total sector jobs in 2023.
- International tourism recovery boosted 1 million jobs by end of 2023.
- Lodging sector jobs increased 4% to 3 million in 2023.
- Arts and recreation jobs up 6% year-over-year in 2023.
- Total tourism jobs projected at 11 million by 2033.
- Food and drink services employed 15 million in hospitality in 2023.
Employment Impact Interpretation
While America's tourism industry often gets boiled down to cheesy souvenirs and Instagrammable landmarks, these numbers reveal it's actually the country's robust, multi-trillion-dollar economic engine, pumping life into everything from national park trails to your local taco stand with millions of paychecks.
Spending Patterns
- International visitors spent an average of $4,000 per trip in the U.S. in 2023.
- Total U.S. travel spending reached $1.2 trillion in 2023.
- Domestic travelers spent $861 billion on trips in 2023.
- International visitors' spending totaled $185 billion in 2023.
- Hotel spending by tourists was $227 billion in 2023.
- Airfare spending for domestic travel hit $140 billion in 2023.
- Food and beverage spending by visitors reached $150 billion in 2023.
- Retail shopping by international tourists amounted to $45 billion in 2023.
- Gambling revenue from tourists was $60 billion in 2023.
- Recreation and entertainment spending totaled $120 billion in 2023.
- Car rental spending by travelers reached $35 billion in 2023.
- Lodging expenditures grew 8% to $250 billion in 2023.
- Average daily spending per international visitor was $281 in 2023.
- Domestic leisure spending per trip averaged $1,200 in 2023.
- Business travel spending recovered to $250 billion in 2023.
- National parks generated $50 billion in visitor spending in 2023.
- Cruise passenger spending onshore was $15 billion in 2023.
- Florida tourism spending hit $110 billion in 2023.
- New York State visitor spending totaled $140 billion in 2023.
- Total visitor spending in California was $143 billion in 2023.
- Nevada tourism spending hit $81 billion in 2023.
- Average spending per domestic trip was $1,319 in 2023.
- International trip spending averaged $4,114 per capita in 2023.
Spending Patterns Interpretation
The international jet-setter arrives with a wallet as full as their itinerary, spending an average of over four thousand dollars to ensure the American economy gets as much of a vacation as they do.
Travel Trends
- U.S. travel spending is projected to reach $1.6 trillion by 2027.
- International arrivals expected to hit 90 million by 2028.
- Sustainable tourism practices adopted by 65% of U.S. destinations by 2024.
- Domestic road trips increased 15% in popularity post-2023.
- Bleisure travel (business + leisure) grew to 40% of trips by 2024.
- Adventure tourism market to grow at 16% CAGR to 2030.
- Solo female travel bookings up 25% in 2024 forecasts.
- Digital nomad visas boosted long-stay tourism by 20% in 2024.
- Eco-tourism spending projected to double to $200 billion by 2028.
- Cruise tourism expected to reach 40 million passengers by 2028.
- Wellness tourism market valued at $900 billion globally, U.S. 30% share in 2024.
- Gen Z travelers prioritizing experiences over possessions, 70% in surveys.
- AI-driven personalized travel recommendations used by 50% of bookings in 2025.
- Rural and small-town tourism up 30% in visitation trends to 2025.
- Event tourism (concerts, sports) to drive 25% of growth through 2030.
- Domestic air travel projected to grow 4% annually to 2030.
- Overtourism concerns in top 10 cities leading to 20% cap on visitors by 2026.
- Mobile bookings to account for 70% of U.S. travel sales by 2027.
- Cultural immersion trips up 35% among millennials in 2024 data.
- Off-season travel promotions boosted shoulder season visits by 18% in 2023-2024.
Travel Trends Interpretation
Americans are collectively mastering the art of traveling like a local—whether that local is a digital nomad in a small town, a bleisure tourist at a convention, or a sustainably-minded Gen Zer on an adventure, all while our phones book it, AI recommends it, and our wallets fund a projected $1.6 trillion industry that’s as concerned with overtourism as it is with under-packing.
Visitor Arrivals
- In 2023, the United States welcomed 66.5 million international visitors, marking a 26% increase from 2022.
- Domestic leisure travel trips by U.S. residents reached 2.4 billion in 2023, up 5% from the previous year.
- New York City saw 62.1 million tourists in 2023, including 13.5 million international visitors.
- Florida welcomed 140.6 million visitors in 2023, a record high surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
- California recorded 235 million total visitors in 2023, with 47 million from out-of-state.
- In 2022, 51.1 million overseas visitors arrived in the U.S., recovering to 81% of 2019 levels.
- Texas hosted 268 million domestic trips in 2023, generating significant local tourism activity.
- Las Vegas welcomed 40.8 million visitors in 2023, up 6.5% from 2022.
- Orlando saw 74 million visitors in 2023, driven by theme park attendance.
- National parks received 325.5 million recreation visits in 2023, a 2% increase.
- International air passengers to the U.S. totaled 108 million in 2023.
- Hawaii attracted 9.6 million visitors in 2023, with 1.4 million international.
- International visitors from Canada to the U.S. numbered 20.7 million in 2023.
- Mexico sent 18.4 million visitors to the U.S. in 2023 via land and air.
- Europe contributed 15.2 million overnight visitors to the U.S. in 2023.
- Asia-Pacific visitors to the U.S. reached 6.8 million in 2023, up 125% from 2022.
- U.S. cruise passengers totaled 17.6 million in 2023.
- Chicago welcomed 54.3 million visitors in 2023.
- Domestic business travel trips hit 463 million in 2023.
- South Dakota's tourism visits reached 50 million in 2023.
- In 2023, Canada accounted for 31% of all U.S. international visitors.
- Mexico represented 28% of U.S. inbound international tourists in 2023.
- UK visitors to U.S. totaled 4.6 million in 2023.
- Germany sent 2.1 million tourists to the U.S. in 2023.
- Japan recovered to 1.2 million visitors to U.S. in 2023.
- China visitors reached 1.1 million in 2023, up from 2022 lows.
Visitor Arrivals Interpretation
The tourism data clearly shows America is once again the world's favorite destination, with everyone from sun-seekers in Florida to selfie-takers in New York City and hikers in national parks collectively deciding that, for all its quirks, the U.S. is still the place to be.
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