The U.S. Travel Association this week released new data in its Economic Impact of Travel 2025 report, highlighting the role travel continues to play in the U.S. economy and pointing to concerns about international visitation.
Travel generated $3.0 trillion in economic output in 2025, a figure that includes both direct spending and the broader impact across related industries such as hospitality, transportation and retail.
Domestic travel remains the primary driver. Americans accounted for $1.2 trillion in spending, representing 87% of all U.S. travel spending last year. Travelers took 2.4 billion domestic trips in 2025, a 1.9% increase from the previous year. Leisure travel made up about two-thirds of total spending, reaching $900 billion after inflation, while domestic business travel contributed $284 billion.
The industry also continues to support employment across the country. Travel-related activity supported 15 million American jobs in 2025, spanning sectors from airlines and hotels to restaurants and attractions.
However, the report points to a different trend when it comes to international travel.
The United States saw a 2.3% decline in international visitors, making it the only major destination currently experiencing a drop in inbound travel. At the same time, other countries are increasing their share of international visitors.
According to Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association: “Americans are the heart of the travel economy, but overseas travelers—who spend up to eight times more per trip—are our most valuable growth opportunity. Yet we are the only major destination in the world losing visitors. That is a problem we need to solve.”
International travelers tend to spend significantly more per trip than domestic travelers, with estimates of up to eight times higher spending. As a result, even a modest decline in international arrivals can have a noticeable economic impact.
The report suggests that the U.S. is not keeping pace with other destinations that are attracting more international visitors. Industry leaders point to factors such as competition from other countries, travel policies and overall visitor experience as areas that could influence future growth.
Why do you think nearly every other country is experiencing record growth, while the United States, one of the most beautiful countries in the world, is facing a downturn?
While Mr. Trump is far less popular abroad than in the US, that alone would not explain the drop off in foreign tourism. News reports of legitimate tourists falling foul of the immigration clampdown is likely to be a major driver.
Few US citizens appreciate that entry to the US has never been a particularly pleasant experience for the foreign visitors. Immigration officials at ports entry have always seemed hostile and/or suspicious. However, once the entry stamp was in one’s passport the visitor could generally feel that one could relax. However, the stories of harassment and detention of tourists (not those seeking to live in the US illegally) have frightened many potential visitors away.
47th president…..you know….the orange guy….that is why people aren’t coming….
As a country, we are no longer respected or trusted….and it may take quite some time before that changes. Trump
Rump- the orange fatman – blotus – call him what you want
Horrible Policies, look at NYC, a once prime international visitor spot — higher crime, homeless taking over streets & subways, less cops & trash pile up — if cities want international travel to return, they must remove their woke unsustainable policies & their illogical extreme TDS!
Agree with the previous comments. The US has a bad rep in the world right now because of the actions of our current president and his administration.
This administration has gone to extreme lengths to alienate nations that have been long time allies. Now they’re hostile and some people wonder why? I’d feel the same in The Land Of The Free suddenly attacked numerous countries without reason, constantly violated international law when inconvenient, threatened to steal allied lands, had faceless secret police literally grabbing people off the street without a warrant, and generally acted like a threatening bully. I wouldn’t want to visit us either right now.
As far as I’m concerned, foreign visitors are staying away from U.S. travel because of Trump, his administration, his selfish, self centered, narcissistic attitudes, his immigration policies, his lack of compassion and empathy for other human beings, his childish name calling and demeaning insults towards anyone, and everyone who disagrees with him, or calls him out when he’s wrong, etc, etc, etc. We’ve had our fair share of foreign visitors during other administrations, but definitely not as long as Trump is in office, restricting visitors with high travel costs and documentation requirements. He’s laid out the unwelcome mat for anyone who isn’t a bonafied, U.S. citizen, and visitors got the message loud and clear.
Trump administration
TRUMP!!!!