Page last updated: 16 March 2026
Washington State is a leading Pacific Northwest destination known for its vibrant cities, scenic mountains, national parks, and diverse outdoor and cultural attractions.
How many people visit Washington each year?
Washington receives millions of visitors each year.
- Washington welcomed 103.5 million total visitors in 2017, increasing to 107.4 million in 2018 and reaching its peak to 109.5 million in 2019. When the pandemic affected travel in 2020, total visitation fell to 79.6 million.
- Washington’s tourism industry recovered in 2021 with 95.3 million visitors, followed by 102.2 million in 2022 and 107.9 million in 2023. In 2024, the state reached 110.8 million total visitors.
- In 2025, Washington recorded 112.5 million total visitors, reflecting continued growth in overall visitor volume
How many people visited Washington in 2026?
- In 2026, Washington recorded 21.10 million estimated visitors year-to-date (January to March), based on preliminary tourism data. Note: 2026 figures are preliminary and subject to revision once updated data is available.
| Month (2026) | Estimated Visitors (Millions) |
| January | 6.30 |
| February | 6.70 |
| March (Forecast) | 8.10 |
| YTD Total | 21.10 |
How many people visited Washington in 2025?
- In 2025, Washington welcomed 112.5 million visitors, highlighting continued growth in the state’s tourism industry and overall visitor volume.
Washington Tourism Statistics: International and Domestic
- In 2025, Washington welcomed 112.5 million total visitors, including 2.6 million international visitors and 109.9 million domestic visitors, up 1.5% compared with 2024 (110.8 million total visitors), reflecting continued growth in both inbound tourism and domestic travel.
- International visitation to Washington reached 5.0 million in 2019 before declining to 1.0 million in 2020, reflecting the major impact of the pandemic on overseas travel.
- Washington’s international tourism market recovered to 2.5 million visitors in 2022 and 2.6 million in 2023, showing steady improvement in inbound travel.
How much do tourists spend in Washington every year?
International and domestic tourists spent $25.6 billion in Washington in 2025, up 2.0% from $25.1 billion in 2024.
- In 2019, visitors in Washington generated $21.9 billion in tourism expenditure. However, spending declined to $13.0 billion in 2020 due to the pandemic.
- Visitor spending recovered in 2021, reaching $17.7 billion.
- In 2022 and 2023, tourists spent $22.1 billion and $23.9 billion, respectively.
- Tourist spending rose to $25.1 billion in 2024 before increasing further to $25.6 billion in 2025, reflecting continued growth in Washington’s tourism economy.
How much did tourists spend in Washington in 2025?
- In 2025, tourists spent $25.6 billion in Washington, up 2.0% from $25.1 billion in 2024, highlighting continued growth in the state’s tourism economy and visitor spending.
How much does it cost to visit Washington?
- Tourists to Washington spend an average of $228 per visitor, based on 2025 visitor data. A trip to Washington typically covers lodging, local dining, attractions, and transportation, making it a destination that balances value and variety.
Note: This average spending is calculated by dividing Washington’s total visitor spending in 2025 by its total number of visitors.
Which countries visit Washington the most?
In 2025, the top international visitor markets for Washington were Canada, followed by China, India, the United Kingdom, and South Korea.
- Canada led international tourism to Washington with 1.65 million visitors.
- China followed with 115,000 visitors, while India contributed 82,000 and the United Kingdom added 70,000.
- South Korea recorded 65,000 visitors, followed by Germany with 55,000, Japan with 50,000, Australia with 45,000, France with 35,000, and Ukraine with 18,000 visitors.
Washington Tourism – Economic Impact 2024 – 2025
- Washington’s tourism industry supported 232,457 total jobs in 2024, including direct, indirect, and induced employment, meaning 1 in every 21 jobs in the state depended on the visitor economy.
- Direct tourism employment in Washington reached 153,885 jobs in 2024, up 1.2% from 2023, with the largest tourism sectors being:
- Food and Beverage (62,376 jobs)
- Recreation and Entertainment (27,483 jobs)
- Lodging and Accommodations (26,028 jobs).
- Visitor spending generated $2.6 billion in state and local tax revenue in 2024, showing Washington tourism’s strong economic impact and helping fund infrastructure, public safety, and conservation without adding pressure to local households.
- Tourism in Washington also delivered a major fiscal benefit in 2024, with the average household saving $1,140 in state and local taxes, while major investments such as the Seattle Convention Center expansion and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport modernization supported future tourism growth.
How long do tourists stay in Washington?
In 2025, visitors to Washington stayed for an average of 3.2 days per trip.
- Domestic leisure travelers from within the state recorded an average stay of 1.8 days, while domestic leisure visitors from out of state stayed 3.6 days on average.
Note: Domestic within-state refers to Washington residents traveling inside Washington, while domestic out-of-state refers to visitors from other U.S. states traveling to Washington.
- International visitors to Washington stayed significantly longer, with overseas travelers averaging 7.8 days and Canadian drive visitors averaging 2.1 days.
Business and convention visitors recorded an average length of stay of 3.0 days in 2025.
Why do tourists visit Washington?
Tourists visit Washington for a mix of leisure, visiting friends and relatives, business, and meetings or events.
- Leisure was the biggest travel purpose in 2024 at 70.90 million, followed by VFR (visiting friends and relatives) at 22.10 million, business at 8.80 million, MCIE at 6.60 million, and others at 2.40 million.
Note: No 2025 data is available for visitor purposes. This section will be updated once 2025 data becomes available.
When is the best time to visit Washington?
The best time to visit Washington is usually summer and the shoulder seasons, especially late spring to early fall, when travel conditions are generally more favorable for outdoor activities, sightseeing, and exploring the state’s natural scenery. Washington State’s official tourism guidance also notes that shoulder seasons can offer a good balance of fewer crowds and seasonal experiences.
- Spring (March to May) is a popular time to visit Washington thanks to colorful blossoms, mild temperatures, and the chance to enjoy well-known spots before the busiest summer period begins.
- Fall (September to November) is another strong time to visit, offering fewer crowds than peak summer along with seasonal scenery such as fall foliage, making it a good option for travelers who want a quieter experience.
Peak Season in Washington
The peak season to visit Washington is summer, especially June to August, when the state records its highest visitor volumes.
- Summer (June to August) is the busiest travel period, with 11.8 million visitors in June, 13.5 million in July, and 13.9 million in August, making it the most popular season for tourism in Washington.
Washington Travel Resources
How popular is Washington as a tourist destination?
Washington is a highly popular tourist destination, supported by strong national and international recognition for its cities and broader travel appeal.
- In 2025, Seattle was named one of Travel + Leisure’s “50 Best Places to Travel in 2026”, ranked No. 10 in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Cities in the United States, and Bellevue gained further visibility through Good Housekeeping’s “Best Sustainable and Scenic City” for 2026.
- The wider region also received additional recognition through the Resonance Consultancy World’s Best Cities ranking and the HSMAI Adrian Award won by Visit Seattle’s “Love For All Boat” campaign, reinforcing Washington’s appeal as a well-known, award-winning, and increasingly competitive U.S. travel destination.
Top Attractions in Washington
- Mount Rainier National Park – Washington’s most iconic natural attraction, known for alpine scenery, hiking, and glacier views.
- Olympic National Park – One of the state’s standout destinations, famous for rain forests, mountains, lakes, and Pacific coastline.
- Seattle – The state’s best-known urban destination, with major attractions, arts, dining, and waterfront experiences.
- Pike Place Market – One of Seattle’s most recognized landmarks and a signature stop for visitors to Washington.
- San Juan Islands – A leading scenic getaway in Washington, popular for island travel, nature, and coastal experiences.
- Washington’s wine country – A major tourism draw for food, wine, and regional travel experiences.
Washington Travel Statistics Resources
USA Travel Statistics Resources
- Arizona Statistics (incl. Grand Canyon National Park)
- California Statistics (incl. Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Universal Studios Hollywood)
- Florida Statistics (incl. Destin, Key West, Miami, Orlando, Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World)
- Hawaii Statistics (incl. Kauai, Maui, Oahu)
- Illinois Statistics (incl. Chicago)
- Louisiana Statistics (incl. New Orleans)
- Massachusetts Statistics (incl. Boston)
- Nevada Statistics (incl. Las Vegas)
- New York Statistics (incl. New York City, Statue of Liberty)
- South Dakota Statistics (incl. Mount Rushmore)
- Tennessee Statistics (incl. Memphis, Nashville)
- Texas Statistics (incl. Dallas, Houston, San Antonio)
- Utah Statistics
- Yellowstone National Park Statistics
References
SWT: Annual Key Tourism Statistics of Washington
