May 2024 witnessed a remarkable surge in international travel to and from the United States, reflecting a strong recovery in the global travel industry.
According to recent data released by the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), both inbound and outbound travel numbers experienced significant growth compared to the same period last year, underscoring the resilience of the travel sector post-pandemic.
Inbound Travel: A Return to Pre-Pandemic Levels
The total number of international visitor arrivals to the United States in May 2024 reached an impressive 6,068,711, marking a 12.7 percent increase compared to May 2023. This figure represents 90.5 percent of the visitor volume recorded in May 2019, just before the pandemic. Notably, this marks the thirty-eighth consecutive month of year-over-year growth in international arrivals, a clear indicator of the sustained interest in the U.S. as a travel destination.
Among the top countries contributing to this influx, Canada led with 1,726,007 visitors, followed by Mexico with 1,300,229 visitors. Despite the strong numbers, Canada was the only country in the top 20 to report a slight decrease in visitor volume, with a 0.2 percent decline compared to May 2023. The United Kingdom, India, and Germany also ranked high, collectively contributing to over 63 percent of the total international arrivals.
Overseas visitor volume to the U.S. saw an even larger increase of 17.5 percent, with 3,042,475 arrivals. This marks the fifteenth consecutive month that overseas visitors have totaled over 2 million, highlighting the growing demand for international travel to the United States.
Outbound Travel: U.S. Citizens Exploring the World
On the outbound side, U.S. citizens were also on the move in record numbers. May 2024 saw 9,265,840 U.S. citizen international departures, a 9.7 percent increase compared to May 2023. This number is not only a sign of recovery but also surpasses the pre-pandemic figures, reaching 108.6 percent of the departures reported in May 2019.
North America remained the most popular region for U.S. travelers, with Mexico and Canada accounting for nearly half of all international departures. Mexico alone recorded 3,024,756 U.S. visitors in May, making up 32.6 percent of total departures. Europe was another significant destination, with 2,382,286 departures, reflecting a 10.9 percent increase from the previous year. This trend indicates a strong interest in transatlantic travel, with many Americans eager to explore the cultural and historical sites of Europe.
The Caribbean also saw a substantial number of U.S. visitors, with 4,974,473 departures in the year-to-date period, further solidifying its position as a favorite for beach vacations and tropical getaways.
The consistent growth in both inbound and outbound travel numbers highlights the resilience and ongoing recovery of the global travel industry. As international travel continues to rebound, the United States remains a key player, both as a top destination and a significant source market for global tourism.
