The U.S. Travel Association wrapped up IPW 2026 in Greater Fort Lauderdale this week, drawing nearly 5,000 delegates from more than 60 countries for America’s premier international inbound travel trade show.
The five-day event, held May 17-21 at the Broward County Convention Center, generated more than 75,000 business appointments between U.S. travel suppliers and global buyers and media, but played out against a sobering backdrop: the United States is now the only major global destination experiencing a decline in international arrivals.
International visits to the U.S. fell 5.5 percent in 2025 to 68.3 million, the first such decline since 2020, even as global tourism grew overall. The situation has since worsened: official figures from the National Travel and Tourism Office showed international arrivals in April 2026 dropped 14.1 percent year-over-year, wiping out the modest gains recorded in February and March. A full recovery to pre-pandemic levels is not now expected until 2029.
U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman addressed the challenges directly. “When it comes to international inbound travel to the United States, we’ve seen the headlines, we’ve read the stories, we’ve heard the concerns,” Freeman told global media attendees. “Let’s start with the numbers. They tell a concerning story, and we can’t spin them.” He cited a range of factors behind the decline, including currency exchange rates, global instability affecting flight routes and U.S. policy proposals. Research from Skift found that among international travelers who said they were less likely to visit the U.S., 63 percent pointed to the political climate, 38 percent cited safety and security concerns and 32 percent cited tariffs and trade policies.
The scale of the challenge is underscored by forward-booking data. Aviation analytics firm Cirium reported that summer 2026 advance bookings from Europe to the United States had dropped 15 percent year-over-year, with bookings for July specifically, which coincides with the FIFA World Cup, down 15.3 percent. The decline comes despite 2026 being positioned as a landmark year for U.S. tourism, with the World Cup, the 250th anniversary of the United States and the Route 66 Centennial all on the calendar.
Brand USA, the country’s official destination marketing organisation, used IPW 2026 to launch a direct response to what its leadership described as a gap between perception and reality. President and CEO Fred Dixon announced the expansion of the organisation’s “America the Beautiful” platform alongside a new “Get Facts. Get Going.” initiative, aimed at correcting misinformation circulating in international markets about visa requirements, entry procedures, national park fees and border screening policies.
Despite the difficult context, Freeman struck a forward-looking tone in the official close of the show. “At a moment when the competition for international travelers has never been more fierce, the U.S. travel industry showed up in force,” he said. “IPW isn’t just a trade show, it’s a down payment on billions in future spending, thousands of American jobs, and the global reputation of the United States as a destination that wants to be visited.” Each IPW is estimated to drive nearly 11 million international visitors to the U.S. over the following three years, generating $26.1 billion in spending, supporting 63,000 American jobs and producing $3.3 billion in tax revenue.
For Greater Fort Lauderdale, hosting IPW 2026 marked a first and a statement of intent. Visit Lauderdale curated a programme of events and experiences across the destination’s 24 miles of beaches, 300 miles of navigable waterways and cultural venues, presenting the region to global buyers and media as a luxury tourism and meetings destination. “IPW 2026 was an incredible opportunity to showcase the energy, accessibility and continued evolution of Greater Fort Lauderdale to travel professionals and media from around the world,” said Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of Visit Lauderdale. “The connections made throughout the week will continue to drive meaningful business and visitation to our community for years to come.”
Looking ahead, the IPW roadshow moves to New Orleans in May 2027, followed by Detroit in 2028, Denver in 2029 and Anaheim, California in 2030. The industry’s immediate focus, however, remains on reversing the current inbound travel decline before the FIFA World Cup brings millions of international visitors to American cities from June 2026.
Travel Writer Awards
At IPW 2026, five travel journalists were honored with Travel Writer Awards, recognizing outstanding international travel journalism that inspires visitation to the United States..
Best U.S. Travel Destination:
Adrian Bridge (United Kingdom)
I saw a colourful slice of the Deep South on a train journey along America’s neglected Gulf Coast
The Telegraph
Maritza Mantilla González (Colombia)
A los 100 años, la Ruta 66 sigue siendo el camino de la Libertad
At 100 years old, Route 66 remains the road to freedom
El Tiempo / Viajar Magazine
Margitta Brinke & Karl Peter Kraenzle (Germany)
Neuland mitten in Amerika
Uncharted territory in the heart of America
AMERICA Journal
Best Trade Publication:
Stuart Forster (United Kingdom)
Born in the USA
Selling Travel
Best IPW Host City (Chicago 2025):
Lucio Luigi Rossi (Italy)
Chicago, la carica dei 77
Chicago: The Charge of the 77
Latitudes Travel Magazine
IPW 2027 will be hosted by New Orleans & Company in New Orleans, Louisiana, continuing the momentum next spring.
