The United States is on track to lose US$12.5 billion in international visitor spending, according to the latest Economic Impact Research by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
Out of the 184 economies analysed, the U.S. is the only country set to see a drop in traveller spending and WTTC CEO and president Julia Simpson said this should serve as a wake-up call for the U.S. government.
“The world’s biggest Travel & Tourism economy is heading in the wrong direction, not because of a lack of demand, but because of a failure to act,” Simpson said.
“Without urgent action to restore international traveller confidence, it could take several years for the U.S. just to return to pre-pandemic levels of international visitor spend, not even the peak from 10 years ago.”
U.S. visitor spending has dropped from $181 billion in 2024 to $164 billion this year, representing a 22.5% decline compared to the previous peak.
In 2024, nearly 90% of tourism spending will come from domestic travel, with Americans travelling at home in record numbers.
Many of the U.S.’s key source markets, like the U.K., Germany, South Korea and Canada, are drying up.
Last year, tourism and travel contributed $2.6 trillion to the U.S. economy and supported 20 million jobs. It also contributes more than $585 billion in tax revenue annually, accounting for 7% of all government income.
While inbound tourism to the U.S. is plummeting, outbound travel is surging.
WTTC warns that the imbalance could affect local economies and employment and undermine the U.S.’s position as a top global destination for trade, culture and business.
Pre-pandemic in 2019, international visitors generated $217.4 billion in revenue and supported almost 18 million jobs in the U.S.
