With international visitor numbers soaring past 66 million and domestic travel hitting billions of trips, America's tourism industry is roaring back to life, fueled by record-breaking spending and a surge in global exploration.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the United States welcomed 66.5 million international visitors, a 28% increase from 2022
- Canada accounted for 20.4 million overnight visitors to the US in 2023, representing 31% of all international arrivals
- Mexico contributed 17.8 million visitors to the US in 2023, up 15% year-over-year
- In 2022, US residents took 2.29 billion domestic trips, a 10.9% increase from 2021
- Domestic leisure trips reached 1.64 billion in 2022, up 12% year-over-year
- Domestic business trips totaled 289 million in 2022, recovering to 78% of 2019 levels
- In 2023, travel and tourism contributed $2.36 trillion to US GDP, 2.97% of total
- Tourism generated $1.1 trillion in domestic spending in 2023
- International visitor spending reached $181 billion in 2023, 81% of 2019 peak
- Tourism supported 2.4 million jobs in accommodation in 2023
- Food services and drinking places employed 12.5 million in tourism in 2023
- Arts, entertainment, recreation: 2.1 million tourism jobs in 2023
- Great Smoky Mountains NP: highest visited with 12.1 million in 2023
- Grand Canyon NP: 4.7 million visitors in 2023
- Zion NP: 4.3 million visits in 2023
US tourism saw a strong rebound in 2023 with growing domestic and international visitor numbers.
Domestic Travel
- In 2022, US residents took 2.29 billion domestic trips, a 10.9% increase from 2021
- Domestic leisure trips reached 1.64 billion in 2022, up 12% year-over-year
- Domestic business trips totaled 289 million in 2022, recovering to 78% of 2019 levels
- Road trips accounted for 80% of domestic person-trips in 2022
- Air travel for domestic trips was 12% of total in 2022, with 900 million passengers
- Average domestic trip length was 4.2 nights in 2022
- 42% of domestic trips included outdoor activities in 2022
- Family trips made up 35% of domestic leisure travel in 2022
- Solo domestic trips increased 15% to 18% of total in 2022
- Domestic travel spending hit $972 billion in 2022
- Florida welcomed 140.6 million domestic visitors in 2022
- California saw 200 million domestic trips in 2022
- Texas hosted 268 million domestic visitor days in 2022
- New York State had 288 million domestic trips in 2022
- RV camping trips totaled 60 million domestically in 2022, up 20%
- Domestic hotel stays reached 1.2 billion room-nights in 2022
- Short-term rentals saw 250 million domestic stays in 2022
- Domestic group travel (10+ people) was 8% of trips in 2022
- Beach destinations drew 28% of domestic leisure trips in 2022
- National parks received 312 million domestic visits in 2022
- City breaks accounted for 22% of domestic trips in 2022
- Domestic travel by Gen Z grew 25% in 2022 to 15% of total trips
- Road warrior business trips increased 18% in 2022
- Domestic auto rentals surged 30% to 450 million in 2022
- Train trips domestically totaled 28 million in 2022, Amtrak focus
- Cruise departures from US ports had 17 million domestic passengers in 2022
- Adventure travel trips domestically hit 120 million in 2022
- Cultural/heritage sites visited on 19% of domestic trips in 2022
Domestic Travel Interpretation
While the business traveler is cautiously returning to the skies, it's clear the collective American soul, having rediscovered its own backyard, is now insistently wandering its open roads, crashing on every available sofa and campsite, and flocking to the beach in a determined, budget-straining pilgrimage for freedom, family, and a decent Wi-Fi signal.
Economic Contributions
- In 2023, travel and tourism contributed $2.36 trillion to US GDP, 2.97% of total
- Tourism generated $1.1 trillion in domestic spending in 2023
- International visitor spending reached $181 billion in 2023, 81% of 2019 peak
- Tax revenue from tourism totaled $239 billion in 2023 federally and locally
- Travel exports (international spending) were $205 billion in 2023
- Lodging sector revenue hit $230 billion in 2023
- Food and beverage sales from tourism: $400 billion in 2023
- Recreation and entertainment spending: $170 billion in 2023
- Retail sales from tourists: $280 billion in 2023
- Transportation spending by tourists: $250 billion in 2023
- Gambling revenue from tourism: $60 billion in 2023
- Tourism multiplier effect added $1.2 trillion indirect impact in 2023
- 2024 projection: tourism GDP contribution to reach $2.5 trillion
- Pre-tax tourism profits: $147 billion in 2023
- State and local tax from tourism: $170 billion in 2023
- Federal tax revenue from tourism: $69 billion in 2023
- Tourism investment in capital: $220 billion in 2023
- Average tourist spend per day: $214 in 2023
- Domestic traveler spending per trip: $1,200 in 2023
- International per capita spend: $5,800 in 2023
- NYC tourism economic impact: $74 billion in 2023
- Florida tourism GDP: $112 billion in 2023
- California tourism revenue: $150 billion in 2023
- Travel and tourism supported 9.7 million jobs in 2023, 6.1% of total employment
- Tourism employment grew 4.2% to 15.3 million jobs in 2023
- Leisure and hospitality jobs: 16.8 million in 2023, tourism driven
- In 2023, tourism created 1.2 million net new jobs post-COVID
- Travel and tourism labor income: $992 billion in 2023
Economic Contributions Interpretation
America, in a dazzling display of our national pastime of avoiding our own homes, managed to generate nearly $2.4 trillion in 2023, proving that the economy runs on sunscreen, souvenir keychains, and the collective decision that yes, we *should* see that world's largest ball of twine.
Employment and Jobs
- Tourism supported 2.4 million jobs in accommodation in 2023
- Food services and drinking places employed 12.5 million in tourism in 2023
- Arts, entertainment, recreation: 2.1 million tourism jobs in 2023
- Air transportation jobs from tourism: 500,000 in 2023
- Traveler accommodation subsector: 2.0 million jobs in 2023
- Gaming industry employed 450,000 in tourism roles in 2023
- Car rental and leasing: 150,000 tourism-related jobs in 2023
- Tour operators and guides: 120,000 jobs in 2023
- Retail trade tourism jobs: 2.8 million in 2023
- State/local government tourism employment: 1.5 million in 2023
- Female employment in tourism: 52% of total jobs in 2023
- Hispanic/Latino workers: 22% of tourism jobs in 2023
- Jobs per 100 direct tourism jobs (multiplier): 148 total in 2023
- Youth employment (16-24): 25% of seasonal tourism jobs in 2023
- Wage growth in tourism: 5.1% in 2023
- Unemployment rate in leisure/hospitality: 4.8% in 2023 average
- Florida tourism jobs: 1.7 million in 2023
- NYC tourism employment: 460,000 jobs in 2023
- National parks direct employment: 20,000 staff, 300,000 indirect in 2023
- Airline industry tourism jobs: 750,000 in 2023
- Hotel industry turnover rate: 65% in 2023
- Training investment in tourism workforce: $15 billion in 2023
- Remote work enabling travel jobs: 10% growth in 2023
- Unionized jobs in tourism: 8% in 2023, mostly airports/hotels
- Veteran employment in tourism: 7% of workforce in 2023
- Orlando theme parks employed 160,000 in 2023
- Las Vegas tourism jobs: 400,000 in 2023
Employment and Jobs Interpretation
From feeding our faces to fueling our fun, tourism didn't just fill 12.5 million restaurant seats last year; it propped up nearly every Main Street and theme park queue with a vast, diverse, and sometimes flighty army of 2.4 million hoteliers, 450,000 dealers, and 120,000 guides—proving that while the industry itself might have a 65% turnover rate, the whole show would definitely flop without it.
International Visitors
- In 2023, the United States welcomed 66.5 million international visitors, a 28% increase from 2022
- Canada accounted for 20.4 million overnight visitors to the US in 2023, representing 31% of all international arrivals
- Mexico contributed 17.8 million visitors to the US in 2023, up 15% year-over-year
- The UK sent 4.2 million tourists to the US in 2023, spending an average of $3,200 per trip
- In 2023, 2.1 million visitors from China arrived in the US, recovering to 47% of 2019 levels
- Germany provided 1.9 million tourists to the US in 2023, with a focus on cultural sites
- Japan saw 1.6 million outbound travelers to the US in 2023, a 120% increase from 2022
- South Korea contributed 1.4 million visitors to the US in 2023, primarily for leisure
- Australia sent 890,000 tourists to the US in 2023, favoring national parks
- Brazil had 670,000 visitors to the US in 2023, up 10% from pre-pandemic
- India reached 1.2 million visitors to the US in 2023, driven by business and VFR travel
- France contributed 1.1 million tourists in 2023, with Paris Olympics boosting interest
- Italy sent 850,000 visitors to the US in 2023, focusing on East Coast cities
- Netherlands provided 720,000 tourists in 2023, average stay 14 days
- Spain had 650,000 visitors to the US in 2023, up 25%
- In Q1 2024, international arrivals reached 20.4 million, surpassing 2019 levels by 3%
- Air arrivals from overseas markets hit 18.9 million in 2023, 96% of 2019
- Visa waiver program countries accounted for 52% of international visitors in 2023
- Business travel from abroad made up 14% of international visits in 2023
- Leisure travel dominated international visits at 72% in 2023
- VFR (visiting friends and relatives) was 12% of international arrivals in 2023
- Repeat international visitors comprised 65% of arrivals in 2023
- Average length of stay for international tourists was 17.2 days in 2023
- 68% of international visitors flew into gateway airports in 2023
- Europe represented 36% of international visitors to the US in 2023
- Asia-Pacific markets contributed 24% of visitors in 2023
- Western Hemisphere (excl. Canada/Mexico) was 8% in 2023
- First-time international visitors were 35% of total in 2023
- International visitors by cruise ship numbered 5.2 million in 2023
- Land border crossings from Canada totaled 14.1 million in 2023
International Visitors Interpretation
America’s tourism rebound in 2023 proved that while the world still loves a good road trip from Canada and Mexico, it’s the Europeans with their deep pockets for culture, the Asians returning with vigor, and everyone’s enduring obsession with our national parks that truly keep the welcome mat worn out and the economy buzzing.
Popular Destinations
- Great Smoky Mountains NP: highest visited with 12.1 million in 2023
- Grand Canyon NP: 4.7 million visitors in 2023
- Zion NP: 4.3 million visits in 2023
- Yellowstone NP: 4.5 million in 2023
- New York City: 62.2 million visitors in 2023
- Orlando: 74 million visitors in 2023, record high
- Las Vegas: 40.8 million visitors in 2023
- Anaheim/Disneyland: 17.3 million in 2023
- Miami: 26.4 million visitors in 2023
- San Francisco: 24.5 million visitors in 2023
- Hawaii: 9.6 million visitors in 2023
- Florida beaches: 110 million visitors in 2023
- Niagara Falls: 8.9 million US side in 2023
- Times Square NY: 50 million pedestrians annually in 2023
- Golden Gate Bridge: 10 million vehicles crossing in 2023
- Statue of Liberty: 4.1 million visitors in 2023
- Disney World Florida: 17.2 million attendance in 2023
- Universal Orlando: 19.8 million in 2023
- Grand Canyon South Rim: 4.5 million in 2023
- Yosemite NP: 3.9 million visits in 2023
- Rocky Mountain NP: 4.3 million in 2023
- Acadia NP: 3.9 million in 2023
- Florida Keys: 5.2 million visitors in 2023
- Nashville TN: 14.2 million visitors in 2023
- Chicago: 54.3 million visitors in 2023
- Boston: 22 million visitors in 2023
- Washington DC: 21.1 million visitors in 2023
- Los Angeles: 49 million visitors in 2023
Popular Destinations Interpretation
America's travel preferences reveal a telling paradox: while our most revered national parks are bursting at the seams with visitors seeking solitude, the truly record-breaking crowds are found wherever we can reliably purchase a t-shirt, a cocktail, and an escape from nature.
Trends and Projections
- 2024 forecast: US tourism to grow 7.1% to $2.5 trillion GDP impact
- International arrivals projected at 85 million by 2025
- Sustainable tourism market to reach $1.1 trillion by 2027
- Bleisure travel (business+leisure) to comprise 20% of trips by 2025
- Adventure tourism growing at 16% CAGR to 2028
- Digital nomad visas boosting long-stay tourism 25% by 2025
- AI in personalization: 70% travelers expect by 2025
- EV charging stations at hotels to triple by 2025
- Wellness tourism revenue to hit $1.2 trillion globally, US 30% share by 2025
- Cruise passengers to grow 12% annually to 2028
- Gen Z/millennial travel spend up 30% by 2025
- Solo travel market to double to 40% by 2025
- Overtourism concerns in 20 national parks by 2025
- Contactless payments 90% of transactions by 2025
- Space tourism market $10 billion by 2030, US leader
- Rural tourism growth 15% annually post-2023
- VR/AR experiences in 50% attractions by 2025
- Carbon-neutral hotels 25% market share by 2027
- Food tourism (culinary tours) up 20% CAGR
- Domestic travel to exceed 2.5 billion trips by 2025
Trends and Projections Interpretation
The future of American tourism is a dizzying yet determined sprint where we're simultaneously chasing adrenaline, wellness, and space while desperately trying to ensure our favorite places don't love us to death.
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