The United States is experiencing a remarkable rebound in international tourism, with July 2024 marking a significant milestone in the recovery process. According to the latest data from the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), the country welcomed 6,899,661 international visitors in July 2024, representing a 6.8% increase from the same month in 2023. This figure signifies a strong comeback, reaching 89.6% of the visitor levels recorded in July 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global travel.
Canada continued to be the top source of international visitors to the US, with 1,978,222 arrivals in July 2024. Mexico followed closely behind, with 1,496,702 visitors. The United Kingdom contributed 381,714 visitors, while India and Germany recorded 198,205 and 191,164 arrivals, respectively. These five countries collectively accounted for a substantial 61.5% of all international arrivals to the United States in July 2024.
Notably, while visitor numbers from Canada, France, and Switzerland showed slight declines compared to July 2023, the overall trend remains positive. Canada experienced a 0.2% decrease, France saw a 0.9% drop, and Switzerland recorded a 2.9% reduction. These minor dips are likely attributable to a variety of factors and do not detract from the overall upward trajectory of international tourism to the US.
Beyond tourism, business travel also saw a notable uptick. The United Kingdom led the way in business visa arrivals, with 36,229 visitors. India closely followed with 35,109 arrivals, Mexico (excluding land entries) at 31,291, Japan at 30,417, and Germany at 21,125. These figures highlight the growing demand for business travel and the importance of international collaborations in various sectors.
The United States also saw a surge in outbound travel in July 2024. US citizen departures abroad reached 11,265,662, a 5.8% increase from July 2023, exceeding pre-pandemic July 2019 levels by a remarkable 104.8%. This indicates a strong appetite for international travel among US citizens.
Mexico emerged as the most popular destination for US citizens, accounting for 31.6% of July’s outbound travel and 36.3% of the year-to-date figures. This reflects a long-standing preference for neighboring destinations and the ease of travel to Mexico for US citizens. Canada also witnessed a 7% year-over-year increase in departures from the US.
Looking at combined year-to-date figures, Mexico (22,802,352) and the Caribbean (7,292,329) accounted for a significant 47.9% of all US citizen international departures. Europe remained a popular destination, with 2,620,171 departures in July alone, representing 23.3% of the total. Notably, travel to Europe in July 2024 increased by 13.1% compared to July 2023, indicating a strong recovery in this region.
The rebound in international tourism in July 2024 is a positive sign for the US travel and tourism industry. As the world continues to recover from the pandemic, the US is poised to benefit from the growing demand for international travel. With its diverse attractions, vibrant cities, and renowned hospitality, the United States is well-positioned to remain a top destination for travelers from around the globe.
