The Economic Impact of International Travel to the U.S.
Experts attribute America’s slower recovery to several factors that complicate travel for international visitors, such as strict visa requirements and lengthy customs wait times. These issues are significant because international tourism is a vital part of the U.S. economy, with foreign tourists spending billions each year to experience the country’s cities, national parks, and historical landmarks. In 2023, international tourism generated over $230 billion in exports (adjusted to 2024 dollars), accounting for approximately 22% of all U.S. services exports globally.What Attracts International Visitors to the U.S.?
Despite the slowdown in international tourist traffic, the U.S. remains a popular destination for various reasons. While most international visitors come for vacations or holidays, other top reasons include visiting friends and relatives, business, attending conferences or conventions, and education. Last year, over 21 million international travelers cited vacation as their primary reason for visiting the U.S., representing 67% of international visitors. Visiting friends and relatives was the second most popular reason, attracting nearly 11.8 million visitors, or 37% of international tourists. Once in the U.S., the most popular activity for international tourists is shopping, with nearly 25.8 million visitors (82%) engaging in it. Sightseeing is a close second, with almost 24.3 million tourists (77.2%) participating. Other popular activities include visiting national parks, art galleries and museums, small towns, historical locations, and theme parks.TRENDING Embark on a lavish escape to New York City, where you will discover exquisite dining, chic boutiques, and unparalleled cultural experiences. Elevate your experience in one of the luxury hotels in NYC, with breathtaking views of the marvelous and historic city skyline.
International Tourism by State
New York ranks first in international tourism, with over 9 million overseas travelers in 2023, drawn by its world-class shopping, iconic landmarks, and renowned museums. Florida follows closely, attracting 7.9 million visitors who come for its pristine beaches, vibrant theme parks, and diverse cultural offerings. California, with 6.3 million international tourists, entices visitors with its mild climate, scenic coastlines, and a mix of urban and natural attractions, including nine national parks. While Nevada and Hawaii ranked fourth and sixth in total numbers, they boasted the highest visitor-to-resident ratios. Nevada saw 676 international visitors per 1,000 residents, and Hawaii attracted an impressive 1,158 visitors per 1,000 residents. Nevada lures tourists with its famous entertainment hubs and vibrant nightlife, particularly in Las Vegas, whereas Hawaii draws visitors with its stunning beaches, unique cultural heritage, and breathtaking landscapes. Below is a breakdown of the top U.S. cities visited by international travelers. The analysis was conducted by Luxury Link—an online booking platform specializing in luxury travel—using data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. For additional information, refer to the methodology section below.The Top-Visited U.S. Cities for Overseas Travelers
15. Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX
- Overseas visitors (2023): 655,000
- Overseas visitors per 1K residents (2023): 122
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2023): 2.1%
- Percentage change in overseas visitors (2022–2023): +44.6%
14. San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA
- Overseas visitors (2023): 655,000
- Overseas visitors per 1K residents (2023): 200
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2023): 2.1%
- Percentage change in overseas visitors (2022–2023): +17.4%
13. Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Deerfield Beach, FL
- Overseas visitors (2023): 749,000
- Overseas visitors per 1K residents (2023): 385
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2023): 2.4%
- Percentage change in overseas visitors (2022–2023): +11.0%
12. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA
- Overseas visitors (2023): 765,000
- Overseas visitors per 1K residents (2023): 123
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2023): 2.4%
- Percentage change in overseas visitors (2022–2023): +111.3%
11. Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX
- Overseas visitors (2023): 887,000
- Overseas visitors per 1K residents (2023): 121
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2023): 2.8%
- Percentage change in overseas visitors (2022–2023): +48.8%
10. Boston-Quincy, MA
- Overseas visitors (2023): 1,152,000
- Overseas visitors per 1K residents (2023): 569
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2023): 3.7%
- Percentage change in overseas visitors (2022–2023): +56.1%
9. Honolulu, HI
- Overseas visitors (2023): 1,322,000
- Overseas visitors per 1K residents (2023): 1,328
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2023): 4.2%
- Percentage change in overseas visitors (2022–2023): +85.9%
8. Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL
- Overseas visitors (2023): 1,413,000
- Overseas visitors per 1K residents (2023): 199
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2023): 4.5%
- Percentage change in overseas visitors (2022–2023): +33.2%
7. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Overseas visitors (2023): 1,611,000
- Overseas visitors per 1K residents (2023): 253
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2023): 5.1%
- Percentage change in overseas visitors (2022–2023): +38.0%
6. Las Vegas-Paradise, NV
- Overseas visitors (2023): 2,077,000
- Overseas visitors per 1K residents (2023): 894
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2023): 6.6%
- Percentage change in overseas visitors (2022–2023): +25.1%
5. San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, CA
- Overseas visitors (2023): 2,281,000
- Overseas visitors per 1K residents (2023): 1,483
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2023): 7.3%
- Percentage change in overseas visitors (2022–2023): +31.2%
4. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL
- Overseas visitors (2023): 3,518,000
- Overseas visitors per 1K residents (2023): 1,273
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2023): 11.2%
- Percentage change in overseas visitors (2022–2023): +20.5%
3. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA
- Overseas visitors (2023): 3,603,000
- Overseas visitors per 1K residents (2023): 371
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2023): 11.5%
- Percentage change in overseas visitors (2022–2023): +31.0%
2. Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, FL
- Overseas visitors (2023): 4,365,000
- Overseas visitors per 1K residents (2023): 1,632
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2023): 13.9%
- Percentage change in overseas visitors (2022–2023): +6.8%
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1. New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ
- Overseas visitors (2023): 8,890,000
- Overseas visitors per 1K residents (2023): 745
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2023): 28.3%
- Percentage change in overseas visitors (2022–2023): +27.1%