International travel to the United States surged in 2024, with 72.4 million visitors arriving throughout the year, marking a 9.1% increase from 2023.
This recovery has brought U.S. travel volumes to 91% of pre-pandemic 2019 levels, signaling a strong comeback for the tourism industry.
Leading the way in visitor numbers were Mexico, Canada, and the United Kingdom, reaffirming their status as the top source markets for U.S. tourism. Meanwhile, India, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Ecuador, and Italy were among the few countries to surpass 2019 visitor levels, while several Asian markets continued to lag behind in recovery.
North America Remains the Strongest Market
As in previous years, Mexico and Canada accounted for the largest share of international visitors to the U.S. in 2024.
- Mexico led the way with 39.8 million visitors, contributing to 37% of total U.S. arrivals.
- Canada followed with 1.5 million visitors in December alone, reflecting a 12.8% year-over-year increase.
- The United Kingdom ranked third, with 332,895 visitors arriving in December, helping the U.K. reach 84% of its pre-pandemic travel volume to the U.S.
Together, these three nations accounted for a significant portion of total arrivals, demonstrating the continued importance of North American and British travelers to the U.S. tourism sector.
Asia and Europe Show Mixed Recovery
While European travel to the U.S. showed steady growth, Asia recorded the largest percentage increase in arrivals at 21.6% year-over-year. However, several key Asian markets have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels:
- Japan remains at just 49% of 2019 travel volume, struggling to regain momentum.
- China saw only 57% of its 2019 travel numbers, indicating slower recovery despite its gradual reopening.
- South Korea performed slightly better, reaching 74% of pre-pandemic travel levels.
In contrast, India emerged as the strongest international growth market, with visitor numbers reaching 149% of 2019 levels, making it one of the fastest-recovering countries for U.S. tourism.
Where Are Americans Traveling?
Outbound travel by U.S. citizens also soared to record levels in 2024, with 107.7 million Americans traveling abroad, surpassing 2019 departure numbers by 8%.
- Mexico and the Caribbean remained top destinations, with 47.5% of all U.S. international departures heading to these regions.
- Europe saw an 11.6% increase in American visitors compared to 2023, as travelers sought cultural experiences and historic sites.
- Africa, Central America, and South America experienced the highest growth rates, each surpassing 130% of their 2019 travel levels.
The growth in outbound travel highlights a shift in American travel patterns, with more travelers seeking international experiences post-pandemic.
The Road Ahead for U.S. Tourism
While the increase in international arrivals and departures signals a strong recovery for the travel sector, challenges remain.
- The weaker U.S. dollar could affect inbound travel from key markets, making trips to the U.S. more expensive for international visitors.
- Trade tariffs and economic policies may influence travel costs and spending habits.
- Some Asian markets continue to struggle with post-pandemic travel rebounds, slowing overall visitor growth.
Despite these factors, the overall trend for U.S. travel remains positive, with strong demand from North America, Europe, and key growth markets like India and the Dominican Republic fueling the recovery.
As the world moves further into post-pandemic travel, the U.S. remains one of the most sought-after destinations, with numbers continuing to edge closer to full pre-pandemic levels.
