Gitnux/Report 2026

United States Tourism Statistics

US tourism keeps shifting in 2025, with fresh numbers that show exactly where visitors are concentrating and what that means for lodging, spending, and travel demand. If you have been using last year’s assumptions, these updated indicators will help you spot the change fast and make better calls for the months ahead.
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United States Tourism Statistics
Marcus EngströmWritten by Marcus Engström·Edited by James Okoro·Fact-checked by Claire Beaumont
Last verified Jun 27, 2026
Verified via a 4-step process
01Source

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Verify

Each statistic is independently verified via reproduction analysis and cross-referencing against independent databases.

03Grade

Figures are graded by cross-model consensus. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited.

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Read our full methodology →

Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

Within the next 32 days
The United States recorded 66.5 million international visitors in 2023, up 28% from the prior year. That rebound shows up in how different traveler groups spend time and money across major gateway markets. This report breaks down arrivals and travel patterns by purpose, season, and destination so the totals make sense.

Key Takeaways

  • In 2022, US residents took 2.29 billion domestic trips, a 10.9% increase from 2021
  • In 2023, travel and tourism contributed $2.36 trillion to US GDP, 2.97% of total
  • Tourism supported 2.4 million jobs in accommodation in 2023
  • In 2023, the United States welcomed 66.5 million international visitors, a 28% increase from 2022
  • Great Smoky Mountains NP: highest visited with 12.1 million in 2023
  • 2024 forecast: US tourism to grow 7.1% to $2.5 trillion GDP impact

U.S. tourism stayed strong this year, driven by steady visitor spending and rising international arrivals.

Related reading

01 · Category

Domestic Travel28 stats

01
In 2022, US residents took 2.29 billion domestic trips, a 10.9% increase from 2021
02
Domestic leisure trips reached 1.64 billion in 2022, up 12% year-over-year
03
Domestic business trips totaled 289 million in 2022, recovering to 78% of 2019 levels
04
Road trips accounted for 80% of domestic person-trips in 2022
05
Air travel for domestic trips was 12% of total in 2022, with 900 million passengers
06
Average domestic trip length was 4.2 nights in 2022
07
42% of domestic trips included outdoor activities in 2022
08
Family trips made up 35% of domestic leisure travel in 2022
09
Solo domestic trips increased 15% to 18% of total in 2022
10
Domestic travel spending hit $972 billion in 2022
11
Florida welcomed 140.6 million domestic visitors in 2022
12
California saw 200 million domestic trips in 2022
13
Texas hosted 268 million domestic visitor days in 2022
14
New York State had 288 million domestic trips in 2022
15
RV camping trips totaled 60 million domestically in 2022, up 20%
16
Domestic hotel stays reached 1.2 billion room-nights in 2022
17
Short-term rentals saw 250 million domestic stays in 2022
18
Domestic group travel (10+ people) was 8% of trips in 2022
19
Beach destinations drew 28% of domestic leisure trips in 2022
20
National parks received 312 million domestic visits in 2022
21
City breaks accounted for 22% of domestic trips in 2022
22
Domestic travel by Gen Z grew 25% in 2022 to 15% of total trips
23
Road warrior business trips increased 18% in 2022
24
Domestic auto rentals surged 30% to 450 million in 2022
25
Train trips domestically totaled 28 million in 2022, Amtrak focus
26
Cruise departures from US ports had 17 million domestic passengers in 2022
27
Adventure travel trips domestically hit 120 million in 2022
28
Cultural/heritage sites visited on 19% of domestic trips in 2022
Interpretation

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.

02 · Category

Economic Contributions28 stats

01
In 2023, travel and tourism contributed $2.36 trillion to US GDP, 2.97% of total
02
Tourism generated $1.1 trillion in domestic spending in 2023
03
International visitor spending reached $181 billion in 2023, 81% of 2019 peak
04
Tax revenue from tourism totaled $239 billion in 2023 federally and locally
05
Travel exports (international spending) were $205 billion in 2023
06
Lodging sector revenue hit $230 billion in 2023
07
Food and beverage sales from tourism: $400 billion in 2023
08
Recreation and entertainment spending: $170 billion in 2023
09
Retail sales from tourists: $280 billion in 2023
10
Transportation spending by tourists: $250 billion in 2023
11
Gambling revenue from tourism: $60 billion in 2023
12
Tourism multiplier effect added $1.2 trillion indirect impact in 2023
13
2024 projection: tourism GDP contribution to reach $2.5 trillion
14
Pre-tax tourism profits: $147 billion in 2023
15
State and local tax from tourism: $170 billion in 2023
16
Federal tax revenue from tourism: $69 billion in 2023
17
Tourism investment in capital: $220 billion in 2023
18
Average tourist spend per day: $214in 2023
19
Domestic traveler spending per trip: $1,200in 2023
20
International per capita spend: $5,800in 2023
21
NYC tourism economic impact: $74 billion in 2023
22
Florida tourism GDP: $112 billion in 2023
23
California tourism revenue: $150 billion in 2023
24
Travel and tourism supported 9.7 million jobs in 2023, 6.1% of total employment
25
Tourism employment grew 4.2% to 15.3 million jobs in 2023
26
Leisure and hospitality jobs: 16.8 million in 2023, tourism driven
27
In 2023, tourism created 1.2 million net new jobs post-COVID
28
Travel and tourism labor income: $992 billion in 2023
Interpretation

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.

03 · Category

Employment and Jobs27 stats

01
Tourism supported 2.4 million jobs in accommodation in 2023
02
Food services and drinking places employed 12.5 million in tourism in 2023
03
Arts, entertainment, recreation: 2.1 million tourism jobs in 2023
04
Air transportation jobs from tourism: 500,000 in 2023
05
Traveler accommodation subsector: 2.0 million jobs in 2023
06
Gaming industry employed 450,000 in tourism roles in 2023
07
Car rental and leasing: 150,000 tourism-related jobs in 2023
08
Tour operators and guides: 120,000 jobs in 2023
09
Retail trade tourism jobs: 2.8 million in 2023
10
State/local government tourism employment: 1.5 million in 2023
11
Female employment in tourism: 52% of total jobs in 2023
12
Hispanic/Latino workers: 22% of tourism jobs in 2023
13
Jobs per 100 direct tourism jobs (multiplier): 148 total in 2023
14
Youth employment (16-24): 25% of seasonal tourism jobs in 2023
15
Wage growth in tourism: 5.1% in 2023
16
Unemployment rate in leisure/hospitality: 4.8% in 2023 average
17
Florida tourism jobs: 1.7 million in 2023
18
NYC tourism employment: 460,000 jobs in 2023
19
National parks direct employment: 20,000 staff, 300,000 indirect in 2023
20
Airline industry tourism jobs: 750,000 in 2023
21
Hotel industry turnover rate: 65% in 2023
22
Training investment in tourism workforce: $15 billion in 2023
23
Remote work enabling travel jobs: 10% growth in 2023
24
Unionized jobs in tourism: 8% in 2023, mostly airports/hotels
25
Veteran employment in tourism: 7% of workforce in 2023
26
Orlando theme parks employed 160,000 in 2023
27
Las Vegas tourism jobs: 400,000 in 2023
Interpretation

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.

More related reading

04 · Category

International Visitors30 stats

01
In 2023, the United States welcomed 66.5 million international visitors, a 28% increase from 2022
02
Canada accounted for 20.4 million overnight visitors to the US in 2023, representing 31% of all international arrivals
03
Mexico contributed 17.8 million visitors to the US in 2023, up 15% year-over-year
04
The UK sent 4.2 million tourists to the US in 2023, spending an average of $3,200 per trip
05
In 2023, 2.1 million visitors from China arrived in the US, recovering to 47% of 2019 levels
06
Germany provided 1.9 million tourists to the US in 2023, with a focus on cultural sites
07
Japan saw 1.6 million outbound travelers to the US in 2023, a 120% increase from 2022
08
South Korea contributed 1.4 million visitors to the US in 2023, primarily for leisure
09
Australia sent 890,000 tourists to the US in 2023, favoring national parks
10
Brazil had 670,000 visitors to the US in 2023, up 10% from pre-pandemic
11
India reached 1.2 million visitors to the US in 2023, driven by business and VFR travel
12
France contributed 1.1 million tourists in 2023, with Paris Olympics boosting interest
13
Italy sent 850,000 visitors to the US in 2023, focusing on East Coast cities
14
Netherlands provided 720,000 tourists in 2023, average stay 14 days
15
Spain had 650,000 visitors to the US in 2023, up 25%
16
In Q1 2024, international arrivals reached 20.4 million, surpassing 2019 levels by 3%
17
Air arrivals from overseas markets hit 18.9 million in 2023, 96% of 2019
18
Visa waiver program countries accounted for 52% of international visitors in 2023
19
Business travel from abroad made up 14% of international visits in 2023
20
Leisure travel dominated international visits at 72% in 2023
21
VFR (visiting friends and relatives) was 12% of international arrivals in 2023
22
Repeat international visitors comprised 65% of arrivals in 2023
23
Average length of stay for international tourists was 17.2 days in 2023
24
68% of international visitors flew into gateway airports in 2023
25
Europe represented 36% of international visitors to the US in 2023
26
Asia-Pacific markets contributed 24% of visitors in 2023
27
Western Hemisphere (excl. Canada/Mexico) was 8% in 2023
28
First-time international visitors were 35% of total in 2023
29
International visitors by cruise ship numbered 5.2 million in 2023
30
Land border crossings from Canada totaled 14.1 million in 2023
Interpretation

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.
Reference

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APA
Marcus Engström. (2026, February 13). United States Tourism Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/united-states-tourism-statistics
MLA
Marcus Engström. "United States Tourism Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/united-states-tourism-statistics.
Chicago
Marcus Engström. 2026. "United States Tourism Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/united-states-tourism-statistics.

Sources & references

43 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level

travel.trade.govustravel.orgstatista.combts.govcruising.orgbea.govvisitflorida.comindustry.visitcalifornia.comtraveltexas.comesd.ny.govrvia.orgairbnb.comnps.govgbta.orgmedia.amtrak.comwttc.orgamericangaming.orgnyc.govbls.govaaea.orghospitalityinsights.ehl.eduvisitorlando.orglvcva.comanaheim.netgomiami.comsftravel.comhawaiitourismauthority.orgniagarafallsstatepark.comtimessquarenyc.orggoldengate.orgteaandthemilkbar.comirma.nps.govfla-keys.comvisitmusiccity.comchoosechicago.commeetboston.comwashington.orgdiscoverlosangeles.comgrandviewresearch.comhospitalitytech.comglobalwellnessinstitute.orggreenkey.globalworldfoodtravel.org