Ireland travel to USA continues in freefall as July figure declines 13.1pc to 36,328

Irish travel to the USA fell 13.1pc in July 2026 compared to July 2025.
Total international visitors to the United States declined by 3pc in July 2026.
Britain recorded a 1.8pc increase in US travel while France and Germany declined sharply.
Strong US dollar and high airfares cited as primary factors driving the slump.
Fourteen of the top 20 overseas tourist-generating nations reduced US travel in July.

Irish travel to the United States has recorded 36,328 visitors in July 2026, representing a 13.1pc decrease compared to July 2025 and a 21.9pc decline against pre-pandemic levels, according to data released by the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO). The rolling annual figure for Irish visitors has reached 468,314, down 5.2pc on the twelve months to July 2025. January to June total was 219,642, down 7.1pc on the first six months of 2025 and down 10.6pc on pre-pandemic.

Total international visitor numbers to the United States have declined by 3pc in July 2026 compared to the same month in 2025, with the World Cup tournament failing to generate the anticipated summer travel boom.

The data reveals a stark division between participating and non-participating nations in the soccer tournament. Overseas visitors dropped by 7pc month-over-month, totalling just over 3 million arrivals. Total numbers plummeted to nearly 23pc below pre-pandemic levels when excluding neighbouring Canada and Mexico. Out of the top 20 overseas tourist-generating nations, 14 pulled back on US travel in July. Tourism economists point to several compounding challenges: the strong US dollar makes American lodging, dining and shopping more expensive; summer international flights to the US jumped up to 47pc higher for July itineraries; and long embassy wait times, expanded visa rules and strict immigration enforcement have created a chilling effect for incoming tourists.

Britain has bucked the trend, likely reinforced by England and Scotland World Cup fans, with 386,960 travellers to the USA in July 2026, up 1.8pc on July 2025 and 2.7pc on pre-pandemic levels. The rolling annual figure for Britain stands at 4,078,989, flat but down 5.2pc on the twelve months to July 2025. France recorded 108,297 visitors, down 38.1pc on July 2025 and 50.3pc on pre-pandemic, while Germany reported 139,794 visitors, down 14.1pc on July 2025 and 30.5pc on pre-pandemic. Nations with teams playing World Cup matches inside the US during July saw growth spikes: Colombia surged by 11.8pc, Argentina grew by 5.9pc, the Britain ticked up by 1.8pc following England’s run to the third-place match, and Brazil edged up 0.3pc.

The US NTTO shared. “this data confirms the tourism sector has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels,”