The analysis was conducted by Squaremouth, which reviewed its internal travel insurance data alongside insights from
external tourism sources to identify the latest statistics related to inbound
travel to the United States.
The findings indicate that international tourism to the United States is
expected to increase by more than 10% between 2024 and 2025. Overseas visitors
spend an average of $7,046.68 on trips to the country.
Nearly half of all international visitors originate from neighbouring
countries. Canadians represent the largest group of foreign visitors,
accounting for more than 20 million trips to the United States in 2024.
Seasonal travel patterns show that August is the busiest month for international arrivals, while February records the lowest volume of visitors. John F. Kennedy International Airport remains the busiest entry point for international arrivals in the United States.
In 2024, the overall U.S. travel industry generated approximately $2.9
trillion in economic output. Domestic leisure travel contributed $839 billion
to the national economy during the same year.
Although the number of international visitors increased in 2024, spending
by foreign travellers reached $190 billion, remaining below the pre-pandemic
level of $210 billion recorded in 2019. However, spending still increased by
$30 billion compared with 2023.
The travel and tourism sector remains a significant employer in the United
States. Approximately 15 million jobs are linked to the industry across
airlines, hotels, restaurants and visitor attractions.
Travel represents the largest employment sector in several states,
including Nevada, Wyoming and Hawaii.
Travel motivations also influence tourism patterns across the country.
Approximately two-thirds of international visits to the United States are for
vacation purposes, while fewer than 20% of international travellers visit for
work-related reasons.
Only 22% of visitors identify visiting friends or family as their main
reason for travel. Meanwhile, 40% of respondents surveyed by Squaremouth said
their trip to the United States was driven by a “bucket list” or major vacation
experience.
According to data from the International Trade
Administration, more than one-third of Americans travelling abroad
do so for activities related to sports or exercise.
·
Shopping remains
the most common activity among international visitors to the United States,
with 81.3% of travellers – equivalent to 38.8 million people – reporting that
they spent time shopping during their visit.
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Nearly half of
all trips to the United States involve multi-generational family travel.
·
Among
destinations, New York receives close to 10 million international visitors each
year, making it the most visited destination in the country. By comparison,
neighbouring New Jersey receives less than 13% of the number of visitors
recorded in New York State.
·
Florida ranks as
the second most visited state in the United States by international travellers.
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Delaware records
the lowest level of international visitation, receiving around 42,000 foreign
visitors annually.
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Times Square is
the most visited tourist attraction in the United States, attracting around 50
million visitors each year. The Mall of America ranks as the fourth most
visited attraction nationwide.
·
In California,
San Francisco receives more than twice as many domestic overnight visitors as
international travellers.
·
Santa Barbara
has recorded rising tourism activity, with hotel occupancy increasing by nearly
9% and airport passenger traffic growing by 11% year-on-year.
TTags: United States Squaremouth