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Travel has always been a part of the American spirit—whether it’s families heading to Europe for a summer adventure, retirees taking a dream trip to Asia, or tourists from around the world coming to see the Grand Canyon, New York City, or Disney World. But the past few years have been a rollercoaster for travel, with 2020 hitting the brakes in a way no one saw coming. Now, in 2024, things have not only bounced back but in some cases, exceeded pre-pandemic levels.
If you’ve noticed more of your friends posting vacation pics from overseas, you’re not alone. In 2024, more than 107 million Americans traveled internationally—beating the pre-pandemic record of 99.7 million from 2019.
What’s interesting is where people are going. Some destinations have seen huge increases:
Why this surge? Part of it is that many people delayed trips due to COVID-19 and are now making up for lost time. Others are motivated by the growing popularity of remote work, extended vacations, and even the rise of healthcare tourism, where people combine medical procedures with a trip abroad.
On the flip side, America is also seeing a strong comeback in inbound tourism—meaning more people are visiting the U.S. again. In 2024, 72.4 million international tourists arrived, getting us back to 91% of 2019 levels. While we’re not quite at peak numbers yet, we’re getting there.
The U.S. has always been a top destination, but the dollar’s strength, high costs, and visa restrictions have kept some travelers away. Still, places like New York, Florida, California, and Las Vegas are seeing big increases in foreign visitors.
So, what’s next for travel? Here are some possibilities:
Inbound Tourism: With newly imposed tariffs on imports, travel experts anticipate a 10% drop in inbound tourism. While 2024 saw near-full recovery, 2025 may fall short of breaking the 80-million mark. This could impact major tourist cities that rely on international visitors, leading to potential economic slowdowns in those areas.
Outbound Tourism: On the other hand, outbound travel remains unaffected and may even increase. With a strong U.S. dollar in some markets and a growing interest in international experiences, more Americans are expected to travel abroad, whether for leisure, work, or medical tourism.
More Americans Seeking Affordable Healthcare Abroad: The rising costs of healthcare in the U.S. mean that more people may travel for medical procedures—especially to destinations in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Thailand, where costs can be 50–80% lower. If you’re considering medical travel, CureValue.org makes it easy to compare destinations, find accredited hospitals, and book appointments with trusted doctors worldwide.
Asia and Oceania Making a Bigger Comeback: While travel to Asia has rebounded, it still lags behind other regions. Expect more Americans heading to Japan, South Korea, and Australia as flights and costs stabilize.
More Digital Nomads and Long-Term Travelers: With remote work still a major trend, expect more Americans opting for extended stays abroad—especially in visa-friendly destinations.