Despite ongoing rumblings of a major downturn in travel to the United States, US-bound travel grew in April, showing a year-on-year increase of 8 per cent, new data from the US Government’s International Trade Administration shows.
The new data reveals the US welcomed around 3.05 million international visitors (excluding Canada and Mexico) during the month, compared to 2.82 million in April 2024. This follows two months of overall decline for the country.
Mirroring global growth, US-bound travel from Australia also rose by 8 per cent in April, with 89,363 Aussies heading Stateside, compared to 88,495 visitors in the same month last year.
Big deficit
However, despite the positive April numbers, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) states that the US is on track to lose a staggering US$12.5 billion (nearly AU$19.4 billion) in international visitor spending this year.
According to a new WTTC report, the US is projected to take in just under US$169 billion from international tourists in 2025 – down from US$181 billion last year. That’s a 22.5 per cent decline from its previous peak and makes the US the only country among 184 nations WTTC analysed expected to see a drop this year.
While Americans are holidaying at home in record numbers, the report warns that relying too heavily on domestic travel could backfire. The real growth lies in international visitors – and those numbers are slipping fast, says WTTC.
According to the council, inbound visitor numbers are falling from many key markets, with UK arrivals down 15 per cent and Germany plunging more than 28 per cent.
Meanwhile, South Korea, Spain, Ireland, Colombia and Ecuador have all taken double-digit dives. Even Canada, long a reliable source of visitors, is slipping – with early summer bookings down more than 20 per cent.
Despite travel and tourism contributing US$2.6 trillion to the US economy last year and supporting over 20 million jobs, WTTC says the country is now losing ground. It urges the country to improve travel access, increase international marketing and rebuild confidence in visiting the US.
The WTTC’s plea comes after a recent major survey revealed that one in two US tourism operators and destinations reported a dip in business – and are bracing for worse ahead.
Time to act
“This is a wake-up call for the US government,” WTTC President and CEO Julia Simpson said.
“The world’s biggest travel and tourism economy is heading in the wrong direction, not because of a lack of demand, but because of a failure to act. While other nations are rolling out the welcome mat, the US government is putting up the ‘closed’ sign.
“Without urgent action to restore international traveller confidence, it could take several years for the US just to return to pre-pandemic levels of international visitor spend, not even the peak from 10 years ago.
“This is about growth in the US economy – it is doable, but it needs leadership from DC.”
