Travel and tourism in the U.S. - statistics & facts
The United States is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. Its famous cities, iconic national parks, and countless entertainment options make it one of the most visited countries by international tourists. It is domestic travelers, however, who have historically accounted for most of the travel spending in the U.S., generating almost 90 percent of the total expenditure in 2024. That year, the United States recorded the highest contribution of travel and tourism to gross domestic product (GDP) worldwide, with the sector contributing nearly 2.6 trillion U.S. dollars to the nation’s economy.
How many tourists visit the U.S. every year?
In 2025, inbound tourist arrivals in the United States reached under 70 million, declining from the previous year and remaining below the almost 80 million arrivals reported before the impact of COVID-19. This annual decrease in international travelers, the first since the post-pandemic rebound of tourism, was mainly due to a drop in visitors from Canada and Mexico, the leading inbound travel markets in the U.S. based on visitor numbers. On the other hand, domestic tourism in the country showed a strong performance. As estimated, the combined number of leisure and business domestic trips in the U.S. peaked at 2.4 billion in 2025, a figure that was forecast to grow steadily over the coming years.
What are the most popular travel destinations in the U.S.?
From buzzing state capitals to UNESCO heritage sites, the country's geographic and cultural diversity appeals to many different types of tourists. When looking at the most visited U.S. cities by international tourists, New York had the highest visitation in 2024, with over 9.5 million visitors. Meanwhile, one of the city’s main attractions, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, ranked among the leading museums worldwide based on attendance that year. Other popular destinations include Las Vegas, Miami, and Walt Disney World in Orlando, which was the world's busiest amusement park in 2024.Â
While its urban offerings are key tourism drivers, with over 330 million recreational visits to National Park Service sites in the U.S. in 2024, it is safe to say that national parks are among the United States’ leading tourist attractions. The country is home to a host of world-famous parks, including Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon. However, the title of the most visited U.S. National Park Service site went to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 2024.
It would take a lifetime to experience even a small taste of the travel opportunities on offer in the United States, and there is little doubt that this diversity will continue to support the country’s travel and tourism sector. That said, although interest in domestic tourism remains high and the U.S. is expected to benefit from the impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, the recent decline in inbound visitors highlights a key long-term challenge. Maintaining high traveler confidence is something that even a leading tourism market like the U.S. cannot afford to overlook.
