- U.S. international visitor spending is forecast to fall by nearly $11bn in 2026
- The figure represents a 6.3pc decline to $163bn
- Total U.S. travel spending is expected to fall 0.7pc to $1.35 trillion
- U.S. international arrivals are not forecast to return to 2019 levels until 2030
- The U.S. share of global long-haul arrivals has slipped from 10.3pc to 7.7pc
Inflation-adjusted international visitor spending in the United States is projected to fall by nearly $11bn in 2026, a 6.3pc decline to $163bn according to a U.S. Travel Association forecast. Even with a record 2.44 billion domestic trips, total U.S. travel spending is projected to dip 0.7pc to $1.35 trillion. U.S. travel prices are projected to climb 7.2pc in 2026, more than double the broader inflation rate of 3.4pc.
Total inbound arrivals are projected at 67.8m, down 0.7pc versus 2025. Overseas arrivals are down 5.2pc, Canada down 3.3pc and Mexico up 10.3pc. The U.S. share of global long-haul arrivals has slipped from 10.3pc in 2019 to 7.7pc in 2026 and is projected to slip to 7.1pc by 2030. International arrivals are not projected to return to pre-pandemic 2019 levels until 2030.
Travel supports more than 15m jobs and generates $92bn in state and local tax revenue. U.S. Travel CEO Geoff Freeman urged lawmakers to pass legislation before the 11 December funding deadline to guarantee uninterrupted pay for TSA officers and air traffic controllers. For 2027, the association is pushing to reauthorise full funding for Brand USA and streamline visa and entry policies toward a national goal of 100m annual visitors by 2030.
Geoff Freeman shared “Following the November midterms, U.S. Travel CEO Geoff Freeman urged lawmakers to pass legislation before the December 11 funding deadline to guarantee uninterrupted pay for TSA officers and air traffic controllers during shutdowns.”
