US Tourism Statistics - How Many Tourists Visit? (2023)

Page last updated: 06 August 2024

The United States, with iconic landmarks such as the New York City skyline and various national parks, drew between 75 and 79 million international tourists each year pre-pandemic.

Overview

How many tourists visit the US each year?

Over 66.5 million tourists visited the US in 2023.¹

Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the number of inbound visitors to the US was on the rise, reaching approximately 77.1 million in 2017 and increasing to around 79.4 million by 2019.

In 2020, due to the global crisis, international travel declined, with the US hosting approximately 19.2 million visitors.

In 2021 and 2022, with the easing of travel restrictions, tourism in the US began to recover. The country welcomed 22.3 million international visitors in 2021, which further increased to 50.8 million in 2022.

In 2023, the United States welcomed over 66.5 million international tourists – a 31% increase from 2022. However, this was still 16.3% below the visitor numbers of 2019.

Given the gradual recovery of the tourism industry, it is anticipated that by 2025, the United States will surpass the visitor numbers recorded in 2019.

How much do overseas visitors spend in the USA?

International visitors spent approximately $213.1 billion on travel and tourism-related activities in the United States in 2023.²

The period from 2017 to 2019 marked a high point in US tourism, with spending reaching $196.5 billion in 2017 and rising to $199.1 billion by 2019.

The pandemic in 2020 caused tourist spending to drop to around $72.5 billion. This further decreased to $71.4 billion in 2021.

In 2022, international visitor spending showed signs of recovery, reaching approximately $165.5 billion.

Spending by international visitors in 2023 set a new peak with $213.1 billion, a 28.7% increase from 2022, and approximately 7% higher than the 2019 levels.

What countries visit the USA the most?

In 2023, Canada and Mexico remained as the top sources of visitor arrivals to the United States, with 20.51 million and 14.5 million visitors, respectively.
Excluding Canada and Mexico, the United Kingdom topped the list with 3.9 million visitors, followed by Germany (1.84 million), India (1.76 million), Brazil (1.62 million), South Korea (1.6 million), and France (1.59 million).

How many people visited the USA in 2022?

In 2022, the US welcomed 50.9 million tourists. This was a 128.3% increase compared to the previous year. However, the total was still 36% down when compared to 2019.

How much did international visitors spend in the USA in 2022?

In 2022, international visitors made a substantial financial contribution to the economy, spending a total of $165.5 billion.

This was a huge jump of 130% from 2020 which indicated strong signs of recovery in the tourism sector. But the figures were still 17.3% less compared to the expenditure during the pre-pandemic years.

Impact of Coronavirus on Tourism

The pandemic caused a sharp decline in international visitor numbers, with just 19.2 million visitors in 2020 compared to 79.4 million visitors in 2019. The following year, 2021, saw a modest rebound, with a 16.1% increase in visitors amounting to 22.3 million. However, these figures still remained well below pre-pandemic levels.

Tourism spending also felt the impact of the pandemic. Spending in 2020 plummeted 63.5% to around $72.5 billion, down drastically from $199.1 billion in 2019. 2021 registered a further decrease of 1.5%, with total visitor spending dropping slightly to $71.4 billion.

When is the best time to visit the US?

The best time to visit the United States depends on personal preference and the specific regions of interest:

Spring (March to May): Spring offers pleasant weather and fewer crowds compared to the summer. National parks, cities, and coastal areas are particularly enjoyable during this season.

Fall (September to November): Fall is a good time to explore the United States, especially for fall foliage in the Northeast and Midwest. The weather is cooler, and tourist sites are less crowded than in summer, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities.

Winter (December to February): Winter is the best time to visit ski resorts in the Rockies and Sierra Nevada, as well as to enjoy the warmer climates in southern states like Florida, Texas, and Arizona.

Summer (June to August): Summer is ideal for visiting northern regions, national parks, and coastal areas, although visitors should expect larger crowds and higher prices. This season also offers numerous outdoor festivals and events across the country.

When is the peak season in the US?

The peak travel season in the United States is generally during the summer months, from June to August. During this period, families often take vacations, leading to increased tourism, higher prices, and larger crowds at popular destinations such as national parks, theme parks, and beaches.³

However, the peak season in the US also varies by region:

Northeast: The summer months mark the peak season for cities like New York City and Boston. The fall season, from September to November, also experiences increased tourism in the Northeast due to the region’s autumn foliage.

Southeast: Beach destinations such as Florida and the Carolinas are particularly popular during the summer. The winter months, from December to February, also attract tourists to Florida as people seek to escape colder climates.

West Coast: California experiences peak tourism in the summer, with destinations such as Los Angeles and San Francisco remaining busy year-round.

Mountain West: Regions like the Rocky Mountains have two peak seasons: winter, for skiing and snowboarding, and summer, for hiking and outdoor activities.

Southwest: The spring and fall months are popular in the Southwest due to milder temperatures, especially in desert regions like Arizona and Nevada.

Midwest: Summer is the busiest season for the Midwest, with visitors travelling to cities such as Chicago and the Great Lakes region.

Why do people travel to the United States?

In 2023, the United States welcomed tourists and visitors for a variety of reasons, as evidenced by the distribution of visa types.⁴

The majority of visas, totaling 29.17 million, were issued for pleasure or leisure activities such as vacations or visiting relatives.

Approximately 4 million visas were granted for business-related activities.

Education was another major purpose of visit, with 1.37 million student visas.

USA Travel Resources

What are the best places to visit in the US?

National Parks: The USA is home to some of the world’s most popular national parks, including Yellowstone National Park.

Iconic Structures: St. Louis’s Gateway Arch, drawing around 4 million visitors every year, represents the historical westward expansion of the United States.

Historic Sites and Monuments: Washington, D.C., features landmarks such as the White House and the National Mall that are rich in history.

Cultural and Artistic Venues: The USA is known for its cultural institutions, including museums with vast collections that cover global and historical artefacts, such treasures like an Egyptian temple from 10 BCE.

Natural Landscapes and Adventure: Sedona, Arizona, also known as Red Rock Country, is popular for its natural landscape.

What are the top visited US States?

In terms of the most visited US states by overseas visitors in 2023, New York led as the top state with 9.1 million visitors. Followed by Florida with 7.9 million visitors, California with 6.3 million visitors, Nevada with 2.1 million visitors, and Texas with 1.9 million visitors.

Among US cities and metropolitan areas, the New York-Newark-Jersey City region topped the list with 8.9 million international visitors. The Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach area had 4.4 million visitors, the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim in California welcomed 3.6 million, Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford had 3.5 million, and the San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley area received 2.3 million international visitors.

Overall, these five states attracted 62.4% of all international visits to the US, while the top five metropolitan areas represented 48.6% of the market share.⁵

What is the best US Virgin Island to visit?

The US Virgin Islands consist of three main islands: St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. With their beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rich cultural heritage, choosing the best island to visit depends largely on individual interests and preferences.

St. John: This island is ideal for those seeking outdoor adventure and relaxation due to its preserved natural landscapes.

St. Thomas: Known for its vibrant atmosphere, St. Thomas is popular among visitors interested in shopping and entertainment.

St. Croix: St. Croix is known for its cultural and historical significance, appealing to visitors interested in exploring the island’s heritage.

How long can a tourist stay in the US on a tourist visa?

The B1/B2 visa is a non-immigrant visa that permits individuals to enter the United States temporarily for business (B1) or tourism, medical treatment, and pleasure (B2). The length of stay for a tourist holding a B1/B2 visa is determined by a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry.

Typical Length of Stay: Tourists with a B1/B2 visa are generally permitted to stay for up to six months (180 days) upon entry into the US. This period can vary based on the discretion of the CBP officer and the purpose of the visit.

Extension of Stay: Tourists wishing to extend their stay beyond the time initially granted must apply for an extension with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before the authorised stay expires. Extensions are not guaranteed and depend on the individual circumstances of the applicant.

US Travel Statistics Resources

Popular US Tourist Attractions

America Travel Statistics Resources

References

ITA: US Visitor Arrivals Monitor – Global and Regional ↩︎
ITA: December 2023 International Inbound Visitor Spending ↩︎
ITA: International Visitor Count in the U.S. per Month ↩︎
ITA: Visitors by visa type to the United States ↩︎
ITA: U.S. States & Cities Visited by Overseas Visitors (2023) ↩︎