American Tourism Soars as Over Seventy Seven Million Foreign Visitors Expected in 2025 with FIFA World Cup and Olympics Pushing Travel to New Height

Published on March 10, 2025

US tourism is set for a massive surge in 2025 with 77.1 million international visitors expected as America’s attractions, events, and destinations thrive.

The United States is poised for a major rebound in international tourism, with an estimated 77.1 million foreign travelers projected to visit the country in 2025, marking a 6.5% year-over-year increase from 2024. The latest figures, released by the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) on March 10, suggest that the country’s tourism sector is gaining strong momentum after years of sluggish post-pandemic recovery.

A Promising Forecast: U.S. Tourism on the Rise

The NTTO’s latest projections highlight a steady rise in visitor arrivals through 2029, demonstrating optimism for the sector’s long-term growth. In 2024, international travel to the U.S. stood at 72.4 million visitors, reflecting a robust 9.1% increase from the previous year. However, while 2025 will continue this upward trajectory, it is still expected to fall short of pre-pandemic levels, which peaked at 79.4 million in 2019.

By 2026, visitor numbers are forecast to hit 85 million, and by 2027, the U.S. is expected to welcome a record-breaking 90.1 million international travelers—aligning with the five-year growth targets set under the 2022 National Travel and Tourism Strategy. Should these projections hold, the United States will be on track to reclaim its position as a top global travel destination.

Economic Impact: Tourism Dollars Set to Soar

The anticipated 90 million international visitors in 2027 are expected to pump an astonishing $279 billion into the U.S. economy, fueling a massive boost to local businesses, hotels, restaurants, and attractions. With global tourism spending rebounding, the travel industry is primed to contribute significantly to job creation, infrastructure development, and economic stability.

Major international events are expected to further supercharge inbound tourism, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup—which the United States, Mexico, and Canada will co-host—and the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Los Angeles. These global spectacles will attract millions of sports enthusiasts, boosting tourism revenue across major host cities.

Recovery Disparities: U.S. Lags Behind Europe

Despite the positive outlook, the United States has struggled to match the speed of post-pandemic tourism recovery seen in European markets. While many countries across Europe, Asia, and Latin America have fully rebounded to pre-pandemic travel levels, the U.S. has faced hurdles in regaining its pre-2020 visitor volumes.

Visa backlogs, geopolitical tensions, and shifting international travel policies have contributed to slower growth compared to destinations that have streamlined their entry processes. Additionally, the strong U.S. dollar has made American travel less affordable for many international tourists, particularly from price-sensitive markets.

Booming Source Markets: India and Italy Lead the Charge

Certain source markets have outperformed expectations, sending even more travelers to the U.S. than before the pandemic. India has seen a staggering 552% increase in outbound travel to the U.S. since 2020, making it one of the fastest-growing segments in American inbound tourism. Italy is also on the rise, with Italian visitation expected to grow by 7.5% in 2025.

Other key growth markets include Mexico, Brazil, and Canada, with each country contributing significantly to the rising number of travelers exploring U.S. destinations.

Trade Tensions and Canadian Tourism Worries

Despite the promising trends, U.S.-Canada tourism faces potential disruptions. The U.S. Travel Association has raised concerns over rising trade tensions between the two neighbors, particularly tariffs that have led Canada to ban certain U.S. imports and encourage boycotts of American goods and tourism.

Canada is historically one of the largest inbound tourism markets for the United States, and any decline in Canadian travel could impact the overall recovery outlook.

Final Outlook: A Stronger Future for U.S. Tourism

While challenges remain, the forecast for 2025 and beyond paints an optimistic picture for U.S. tourism. As global travel demand continues its upward trajectory and major international events approach, the United States has an opportunity to reassert itself as a premier travel destination.

With 77.1 million international visitors expected this year and record-breaking numbers forecasted for the coming years, the American tourism industry is on the verge of a historic comeback—one that could redefine the nation’s travel landscape for the next decade.