International travel to and from the United States showed a significant divergence in August 2025, with inbound visitor arrivals declining while outbound departures by U.S. citizens continued to grow. Data from the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) reports that the United States recorded 6,893,068 international arrivals for the month, down 8.3 percent from August 2024, while U.S. citizens made 10,234,242 international departures, an increase of 4.4 percent.
The new figures highlight contrasting travel patterns approaching the end of the summer peak season. NTTO said total visitor arrivals reached 84.9 percent of their August 2019 levels, while U.S. departures exceeded pre-pandemic numbers at 108.4 percent. The data underscores persistent strength in outbound demand at the same time inbound recovery remains uneven across key source markets.
Inbound Arrivals Decline Across Key Markets
According to NTTO, non-U.S. resident international visitor volume totaled 6,893,068 in August, reflecting broad declines compared to the previous year. Overseas visitor volume reached 3,492,907, a 2.9 percent decrease. The largest inbound markets were Mexico with 1,823,354 arrivals, Canada with 1,576,807, the United Kingdom with 413,430, Japan with 244,402, and India with 204,692. Together, these five markets accounted for 61.8 percent of all international arrivals.
NTTO reported that the top overseas tourism arrivals for August were the United Kingdom (377,599), Japan (211,367), Italy (188,211), France (171,350), and Germany (169,859). Business travel showed different distribution patterns, led by India (37,119), the United Kingdom (28,330), Japan (26,919), Germany (17,237), and South Korea (15,137). Student arrivals were highest from China (86,647), followed by India (41,540), South Korea (16,412), Brazil (8,082), and Vietnam (7,883).
Outbound Demand Strengthens
Total international departures by U.S. citizens reached 10,234,242 in August, continuing the upward trend observed throughout 2025. NTTO said outbound travel increased 4.4 percent year over year and surpassed August 2019 levels. North America accounted for 49.2 percent of year-to-date travel, while overseas markets represented 50.8 percent.
Mexico remained the largest outbound destination with 3,424,397 U.S. visitors, representing 33.5 percent of all departures for the month. Canada recorded a 6.0 percent year-over-year decline. Europe held its position as the second largest market for outbound U.S. travelers, with 2,467,679 departures, or 24.1 percent of the total. NTTO reported that outbound travel to Europe increased 5.6 percent compared to August 2024.
Combined year-to-date totals show Mexico at 27,954,130 outbound visitors and the Caribbean at 8,320,815, with both markets together accounting for 47.8 percent of all international departures by U.S. citizens. The sustained increase in overseas demand, particularly toward Europe, underscores continued interest in long-haul leisure travel despite broader economic uncertainties.
NTTO noted that while inbound recovery remains slower, outbound travel momentum has been supported by strong consumer demand, expanded air service, and competitive international pricing in several key regions. The agency’s monthly reporting continues to reflect varying recovery timelines across global travel sectors as the industry approaches the final quarter of 2025.
