The US tourism industry had a market size of $1.2T in 2022.
US travelers are set to make 1.94B domestic leisure trips in 2023, with the figure rising to 2.06B by 2026.
In 2022, US travelers made ~370M domestic business trips. By 2026, that number will likely reach 480M.
US international travel spending hit around $109B in 2022, with a predicted surge to $198B by 2026.
By the end of 2023, travel spending in the US is expected to reach $1.15T, increasing to $1.26T by 2026.
Travel and tourism injected more than $1.8T into the US economy in 2022.
In 2022, the US saw a total of 80.8M outbound tourists.
In 2022, the United States of America welcomed 51M international visitors.
General US Tourism Stats, Facts, and Trends
US travelers are set to make 1.94B domestic leisure trips in 2023, with the figure rising to 2.06B by 2026.
US Domestic Leisure Trips: 2019–2021 & Forecast to 2026
In Billions
2019
1.85
2020
1.40
2021
1.77
2022
1.88
2023
1.94
2024
2
2025
2.03
2026
2.06
In 2022, US travelers made ~370M domestic business trips. By 2026, that number will likely reach 480M.
US Domestic Business Trips: 2019–2021 & Forecast to 2026
In Billions
2019
0.46
2020
0.18
2021
0.25
2022
0.37
2023
0.44
2024
0.47
2025
0.48
2026
0.48
As of 2022, the US travel industry’s spending is divided into domestic leisure (71%), domestic transient business (12%), domestic group (10%), and international (10%).
By the end of 2023, travel spending in the US is expected to reach $1.15T, increasing to $1.26T by 2026.
Total US Travel Spending: 2019–2021 & Forecast to 2026
In Trillion US Dollars
2019
1.17
2020
0.72
2021
0.89
2022
1.05
2023
1.15
2024
1.21
2025
1.24
2026
1.26
US domestic travel spending hit around $940B in 2022, projected to reach $1.06T by 2026.
US Domestic Travel Spending: 2019–2021 & Forecast to 2026
In Trillion US Dollars
2019
0.99
2020
0.68
2021
0.84
2022
0.94
2023
1.01
2024
1.04
2025
1.05
2026
1.06
Nearly $160B in spending was generated by transient business travelers in 2022.
US international travel spending hit around $109B in 2022, with a predicted surge to $198B by 2026.
US International Travel Spending: 2019–2021 & Forecast to 2026
In Billion US Dollars
2019
181
2020
41
2021
40
2022
109
2023
141
2024
167
2025
186
2026
198
Travel and tourism injected more than $1.8T into the US economy in 2022.
US Tourism GDP Contribution: 2019–2022
In Trillion US Dollars
2019
1.98
2020
1.04
2021
1.27
2022
1.8
In 2022, meetings and events drove nearly $100B in travel spending.
The travel industry produced $84B in state and local taxes in 2022.
In 2022, the travel sector employed 8M Americans.
Approximately 51M international visitors came to the US in 2022.
Inbound International Visitors to the US: 2011–2022
In Millions
2011
63.48
2012
66.97
2013
71.64
2014
75.38
2015
77.77
2016
76.41
2017
77.19
2018
79.75
2019
79.44
2020
19.21
2021
22.10
2022
50.9
In 2022, 53% of international arrivals to the US were from Canada and Mexico, while 47% were from other countries or overseas.
International Arrivals to the US by Country (2022)
In Millions
Canada
14.38
Mexico
12.53
United Kingdom
3.47
Germany
1.48
France
1.32
India
1.26
Brazil
1.22
Colombia
0.94
South Korea
0.92
Spain
0.77
The number of outbound US tourists reached 80.7M in 2022.
US Outbound Tourists: 2002–2022
In Millions
2002
58.07
2003
56.25
2004
61.81
2005
63.50
2006
63.66
2007
64.03
2008
63.56
2009
61.42
2010
60.27
2011
58.50
2012
60.72
2013
61.57
2014
68.18
2015
73.45
2016
80.23
2017
87.70
2018
92.59
2019
99.74
2020
33.50
2021
49.10
2022
80.7
In 2022, over half of international departures from the US (52.8%) were to Canada and Mexico, with 47.2% to other destinations.
US International Departures by Region/Country (2022)
In Millions
Mexico
33.54
Europe
15.82
Caribbean
9.21
Canada
9.09
Central America
3.70
Middle East
3.12
Asia
2.65
South America
2.51
Africa
0.63
Oceania
0.46
In June 2023, about 69% of US adults trusted loyalty/rewards programs, compared to 33% for ride-hailing companies.
US Trust in Travel and Hospitality Brands by Brand Type (as of June 2023)
Share
Loyalty/rewards programs
69%
Chain hotels
67%
Theme parks
64%
Airlines
63%
Airports
62%
Rental car companies
62%
Travel booking sites
60%
Independent boutique/hotels
58%
Travel agents/advisers
56%
Cruise companies
49%
Vacation rental sites (e.g., Airbnb, Vrbo)
48%
Ride hailing-companies
47%
Generation Y travels more than any other generation (~35 days per year), closely followed by Gen Zers at 29 days per year.
Roughly 78% of Americans believe travel boosts the economy and fosters strong connections with family and friends.
Almost nine in 10 (86%) agree that travel is vital for educating children about other places’ history, nature, and culture.
Three-quarters (74%) believe travel is crucial for a fulfilling, productive, and joyful life.
Over 68% of Americans believe travel positively impacts local businesses and jobs, and 62% see traveler taxes as vital for funding public services like firefighters, police, and teachers.
The State of US Hotel Industry: Rates, Occupancy, and Employment
The hotel and motel sector in the United States reached a market size of $224.9B in 2022.
US Hotel and Motel Sector Market Size: 2012–2022
In Billion US Dollars
2012
167.21
2013
175.40
2014
186.36
2015
199.50
2016
210.67
2017
212.48
2018
217.67
2019
222.26
2020
127
2021
171.10
2022
224.9
As of 2023, the United States has 2.09M hotel jobs.
US Hotel Jobs: 2019–2023
In Millions
2019
2.35
2020
1.67
2021
1.78
2022
1.95
2023
2.09
As of June 2023, the United States hotel industry’s average daily rate (ADR) is $158.40.
ADR in the United States: 2001 to June 2023
In US Dollars
2001
83.62
2002
82.53
2003
82.67
2004
86.19
2005
91.03
2006
97.84
2007
104.35
2008
107.42
2009
98.18
2010
98.23
2011
101.96
2012
106.23
2013
110.35
2014
113.42
2015
120.01
2016
123.97
2017
126.72
2018
129.83
2019
131.21
2020
103.25
2021
125
2022
148.83
2023 (June)
158.40
In 2023, the US hotel industry is projected to reach 1.3B occupied room nights.
Hotel Room Night Demand: 2019–2023
In Billions
2019
1.29
2020
0.832
2021
1.14
2022
1.27
2023
1.30
As of June 2023, hotels in the United States have an occupancy rate of 69.7%.
Hotel Occupancy Rates in the US: 2001 to June 2023
In %
2001
59.70
2002
59
2003
59.20
2004
61.30
2005
63
2006
63.20
2007
62.80
2008
59.80
2009
54.60
2010
57.50
2011
59.90
2012
61.30
2013
62.30
2014
64.40
2015
65.60
2016
65.50
2017
65.90
2018
66.20
2019
66.10
2020
44
2021
57.60
2022
62.70
2023 (June)
69.7
In June 2023, the US hotel industry’s revenue per available room (RevPAR) was $110.33.
US Hotel Industry RevPAR: 2001 to June 2023
In US Dollars
2001
49.91
2002
48.71
2003
48.92
2004
52.80
2005
57.37
2006
61.79
2007
65.57
2008
64.25
2009
53.57
2010
56.48
2011
61.07
2012
65.16
2013
68.69
2014
74.28
2015
78.67
2016
81.19
2017
83.57
2018
85.96
2019
86.76
2020
45.48
2021
72
2022
93.27
2023 (June)
110.33
The projected US hotel room revenue in 2023 is $197.48B, a 4.4% increase over 2022.
Hotel Room Revenue: 2019–2023
In Billion US Dollars
2019
170.35
2020
86.01
2021
142.92
2022
189.07
2023
197.48
In 2023, hotels are projected to employ nearly 2.1M people, a 7.4% increase from 2022 but still 260K fewer employees than in 2019.
Direct Hotel Employment: 2019–2023
In Millions
2019
2.35
2020
1.67
2021
1.78
2022
1.95
2023
2.09
US hotels are set to generate $46.71B in state and local taxes in 2023.
Hotel-Generated State and Local Tax Revenue: 2019–2023
In Billion US Dollars
2019
41.11
2020
27.89
2021
36.78
2022
44.11
2023
46.71
Exploring the Charms: US Tourist Attractions
The National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, received ~3.9M visitors in 2022, the highest number among all museums.
Most-Visited Museums in the United States (2022)
Location
Number of Visitors in Millions
National Museum of Natural History
Washington, DC.
3.90
National Gallery of Art
Washington, DC.
3.26
Metropolitan Museum of Art
New York City
3.21
Museum of Modern Art
New York City
2.19
National Museum of American History
Washington, DC.
1.80
California Science Center
Los Angeles
1.69
Smithsonian American Art Museum (with Renwick Gallery)
Washington, DC.
1.10
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Washington, DC.
1.09
Huntington Library
San Marino, California
1.04
Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago
1.04
In 2022, the amusement park sector in the United States was valued at $24.1B.
Market Size of Amusement Parks in the United States: 2011–2022
In Billion US Dollars
2011
14.34
2012
14.30
2013
15.09
2014
16.09
2015
17.88
2016
18.63
2017
19.12
2018
19.92
2019
20.68
2020
8.65
2021
12.37
2022
24.1
In 2022, Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom was North America’s most-visited amusement park, drawing 17.1M guests.
Most Visited Amusement and Theme Parks in the US (2022)
Number of Visitors in Millions
Magic Kingdom Theme Park at Walt Disney World Resort
17.13
Disneyland Park at Disneyland Resort
16.88
Universal’s Islands of Adventure
11.03
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
10.9
Universal Studios Florida
10.75
An Insight into City Tourism in the US
In 2022, Orlando made the highest direct contribution to the United States GDP from travel and tourism, amounting to ~$35.65B.
As of January 2022, Miami has the highest average hotel room price in the country at $304.
US Cities with the Highest Hotel Rates (as of January 2022)
In US Dollars
Miami
304
New York
235
Las Vegas
222
San Fransisco
211
Chicago
167
As of 2023, Las Vegas is the most budget-friendly city for backpackers, with an average daily cost of $97.20.
Most Affordable Cities for Backpacking in the US by Daily Price (2023)
In US Dollars
Las Vegas
97.20
New Orleans
102.20
Los Angeles
103.80
San Francisco
108.89
Chicago
111.00
Washington DC
111.55
Miami Beach
115.38
As of 2023, Williamsburg is the most budget-friendly city to visit in the US, with an average daily price of $112.42 per person.
Most Affordable Cities to Visit in the US by Daily Price (2023)
In US Dollars
Williamsburg
112.42
Rapid City
116.01
Virginia Beach
125.50
San Antonio
132.12
Asheville
132.93
Albuquerque
134.61
Dallas
140.54
Austin
141.89
Reno
143.94
Stacking It All Up
There you have it.
A comprehensive list of US tourism statistics, facts, and trends.
If you believe your audience will be interested in any of the information we’ve provided, feel free to share it. Just remember to link back to this page as a credit to our work.
FAQ
How many tourists visit the US each year?
In 2022, the US welcomed 51M international visitors.
How many Americans travel abroad each year?
In 2022, the United States of America saw a total of 80.8M outbound tourists.
How big is the US tourism industry?
The US tourism industry had a market size of $1.2T in 2022.
How much money do Americans spend on travel?
By the end of 2023, travel spending in the US is expected to reach $1.15T, increasing to $1.26T by 2026.
What age group travels the most in the US?
Generation Y travels more than any other generation (~35 days per year), closely followed by Gen Zers at 29 days per year.
Sources
AHLA, “2023 State of the Hotel Industry Report”
Budget Your Trip, “The Cheapest Cities to Visit in North America”
Centre Daily Times, “These 2 Pa Destinations Are among the Most-Attended Amusement Parks in North America”
Hospitality Net, “US Hotel Performance for June 2023”
IBISWorld, “Amusement Parks in the US – Market Size 2004–2029”
IBISWorld, “Hotels & Motels in the US – Market Size 2005–2029”
IBISWorld, “Tourism in the US – Market Size”
International Trade Administration, “Travel and Tourism Research”
Price of Travel, “Cheapest North American Cities – Backpacker Index”
Skift, “International Travel Volume to the US in 2022 Reached 64 Percent of Pre-pandemic Level”
Skift, “US Millennials Travel the Most but Gen Z Is on the Rise”
Statista, “Travel and Tourism in the US – Statistics & Facts”
The State of the Travel Industry: Essential to Our Economy. Indispensable to Our Communities. Irreplaceable as an Industry
Trivago, “The trivago Hotel Price Index – Track Global Hotel Pricing Trends”
US Travel Association, “Travel Forecast | Summer 2022”
Wikipedia, “List of Most-Visited Museums in the United States”
WTTC, “Travel & Tourism Economic Impact”
WTTC, “Travel & Tourism Set to Inject over $2.6 Billion into the US Economy over Next Decade”
WTTC, “WTTC Reveal Paris as the World’s Most Powerful City Destination”
As a Digital PR specialist and a member of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), Max has 5+ years of writing experience. Over the course of his career, Max’s work has garnered significant attention, with features in numerous prominent publications such as The New York Times, Forbes, Inc., Business Insider, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, BBC, TechRepublic, Glassdoor, and G2.
