In recent years, global travel has been surging, but fewer tourists are coming to the US.
Despite a global surge in travel, the United States is losing market share of international tourists as growth in North America stalls and visitor numbers decline. In 2025, North America was the slowest‑growing tourism market worldwide, with US international arrivals increasing by less than 1%, while the Asia‑Pacific region grew 8.2%.
This trend is a significant outlier, because globally, last year was one of the best years in history for the travel and tourism sector, with an increase of about 4.1% in gross domestic product growth. These findings were documented by the World Travel & Tourism Council’s latest economic impact research, backed by Chase Travel as Lead Research Partner.
80 Million More International Travelers in 2025
In addition, there were 80 million more international travelers in 2025 than in 2024, but the vast majority of these travelers skipped the United States for other countries and destinations around the world. In the US, international visitor numbers fell by nearly 2.3% in 2025, while domestic travel accounted for 87% of US travel spending this year. This means that while travelers from other countries around the world spent 2025 visiting different global locales of the world besides the US, the majority of US travelers stayed within the country’s borders rather than traveling overseas.
This isn’t great data for any country to be affected by, but it’s especially dull for the US. Travel and tourism have always been a vital cornerstone in the US economy. Last year, 15 million US jobs across the country were supported by travelers’ spending. In total, these jobs generated a record-setting $3 trillion in economic output. This economic figure represents close to 2.4% of the country’s national GDP, according to a report from the US Travel Association.
“The U.S. is losing market share, and China could replace it as the world’s largest tourism market within four years if it continues its own rapid growth,” Gloria Guevara, president and CEO of WTTC, told USA TODAY in a statement. “The U.S. can maintain its leading position if it increases investment and overseas promotion, rebuilds international demand and changes perceptions with a warmer welcome at border entry points.”
One factor that could start to get travelers interested in visiting the US again is the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is estimated to bring 1.24 million international visitors into the country. But with TSA staff shortages and the potential for massive flight delays and cancellations around the country, only time will tell if the US will be able to make a tourism comeback in the years to come.
