Travel and tourism in the U.S. - statistics & facts
The United States is one of the most popular travel destinations worldwide. Every year, the country's famous cities, national parks, and entertainment options attract millions of visitors from around the globe. Thanks to this influx of visitors and growth in U.S. travel spending, the travel and tourism industry’s contribution to GDP in the U.S. reached almost 2.4 trillion U.S. dollars in 2023. Domestic travelers have historically accounted for most of this spending, making up almost 90 percent in 2023.
It would take a lifetime to experience even a small taste of the travel opportunities on offer in the United States. This diversity is just one of the many reasons the U.S. tourism industry has steadily grown in recent years and is forecast to grow in the years to come.
What are the most popular travel destinations in the U.S.?
As one of the largest countries in the world, the U.S. is home to a variety of attractions. Ranging from buzzing state capitals to ancient UNESCO heritage sites, the country's geographic and cultural diversity appeals to many different types of tourists. One hot spot among travelers is New York City. In 2023, New York was the most visited U.S. city by international tourists, with almost nine million visitors. Meanwhile, one of the city’s most popular attractions, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, landed in the top 10 most visited museums worldwide that year. Other popular destinations include Las Vegas, Miami, and Walt Disney World, Orlando. In 2023, the latter had 17.7 million visitors, making it the most visited amusement park worldwide.National park tourism in the U.S.
While its urban offerings undoubtedly entice tourists, with almost 326 million recreational visits to National Park Service sites in the U.S. in 2023, it is safe to say that national parks are also a leading tourist attraction. The country is home to a host of world-famous parks including Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon. However, the title of the most visited U.S. National Park Service site went to the awe-inspiring mountains of the Blue Ridge Parkway in 2023.Where do tourists stay the night in the U.S.?
While hotels remain a popular choice among tourists, U.S.-based short-term rental service Airbnb has significantly grown in popularity in recent years, offering a less expensive, more “grassroots” holiday experience than hotels. In 2023, North America generated the highest Airbnb revenue of any region worldwide, at 4.6 billion U.S. dollars. That said, hotels still dominate the accommodation market and, in 2023, revenue of the U.S. hotel industry reached as much as 106.1 billion U.S. dollars.It would take a lifetime to experience even a small taste of the travel opportunities on offer in the United States. This diversity is just one of the many reasons the U.S. tourism industry has steadily grown in recent years and is forecast to grow in the years to come.
