U.S. Travel & Tourism Statistics 2024

In 2024, the U.S. travel and tourism industry experienced significant growth, reflecting a strong recovery from previous years. Both domestic and international travel saw notable increases, contributing substantially to the nation's economy.

Domestic Travel Trends

• Travel Intentions: A survey indicated that 93% of American travelers had plans within the next six months as of January 2024, up from 92% in December 2023 (U.S. Travel Association).
• Travel Spending: In 2023, travelers in the U.S. directly spent $1.3 trillion, producing an economic footprint of $2.8 trillion and supporting over 15 million American jobs (U.S. Travel Association).
• Popular Travel Forms: Road trips remained a favored mode of travel, with a significant number of holiday travelers opting to drive. Emerging trends included slow travel, multi-generational family trips, and microcations—short getaways lasting 3–4 days (New York Post).

International Travel Dynamics

• Inbound Tourism: The U.S. welcomed approximately 66.5 million international visitors in 2023, reflecting a 31% annual growth. These visitors collectively contributed $155 billion in U.S. travel spending, with many spending an average of over $4,000 per visit (U.S. Travel Association).
• Outbound Travel: U.S. citizens made a substantial number of international trips in 2024, with neighboring countries Mexico and Canada remaining top destinations (U.S. Travel Association).

Economic Impact

• Market Valuation: The U.S. travel and tourism market was valued at $2.8 trillion in 2023, with projections estimating growth to $1.35 trillion in 2025 and $1.46 trillion by 2028 (inflation-adjusted) (U.S. Travel Association).
• Holiday Travel Surge: During the 2024 holiday season, over 119 million Americans traveled more than 50 miles, surpassing the previous record set in 2019. Thanksgiving alone saw a record 80 million travelers, with 71.7 million driving—the highest road travel volume ever recorded (Associated Press, New York Post).

Air Travel Highlights

• Passenger Volume: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened approximately 39 million passengers during the 2024 holiday season, marking an all-time high (MarketWatch).
• Airline Performance: Airline stocks experienced significant gains, with the S&P 500 Airlines Industry Index surging nearly 50% over the past year. Major carriers like Delta, Alaska Air, and United Airlines reported substantial increases in stock value (MarketWatch).

Future Outlook

Looking ahead to 2025, 70% of Americans plan to maintain or increase their travel activities. Key anticipated trends include a continued preference for road trips, an increase in microcations, and a focus on off-season travel to avoid crowds and manage costs (New York Post).

The U.S. travel and tourism industry is poised for continued growth, driven by evolving traveler preferences and a strong economic foundation.

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