In an unprecedented surge, international visitors spent a staggering $20.7 billion in the United States during April 2024, marking a significant 13% increase from last year and surpassing pre-COVID monthly spending levels from April 2019. The data, released by the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), underscores the robust recovery and thriving state of the U.S. tourism sector.

Key Highlights from NTTO’s Report

• Record-Breaking Spending: In April 2024, international visitors injected over $20.7 billion into the U.S. economy. This remarkable figure reflects a substantial increase compared to April 2023 and marks a new high, exceeding pre-pandemic spending levels.
• Trade Surplus Achievement: In April 2024, Americans spent more than $20.1 billion abroad, continuing a 37-month growth trend. This resulted in a trade surplus of $561 million in travel and tourism-related goods and services.
• Year-to-Date Contributions: From January to April 2024, international visitors have contributed over $83.3 billion to the U.S. economy. This represents an 18% increase from the same period in 2023, averaging an impressive $694 million a day.
• Exports Significance: Travel and tourism exports accounted for 22.8% of all U.S. services exports and 7.9% of total U.S. exports, both goods and services, in April 2024.

Breakdown of Monthly Spending

The NTTO report provides a detailed composition of the monthly spending by international visitors, highlighting the significant contributions across various sectors:

Travel Spending

In April 2024, international visitors spent $11.4 billion on travel and tourism-related goods and services within the United States. This figure, which includes expenditures on food, lodging, recreation, gifts, entertainment, and local transportation, represents a 13% increase from April 2023. Travel receipts accounted for 55% of total U.S. travel and tourism exports.

Passenger Fare Receipts

In April 2024, U.S. carriers received $3.4 billion in passenger fares from international visitors, up 9% from the previous year. This category includes expenditures on international flights provided by U.S. airlines, constituting 16% of total U.S. travel and tourism exports.

Medical, Education, and Short-Term Worker Spending

Expenditures in this category reached $5.9 billion in April 2024, a 14% increase from April 2023. This includes spending on medical tourism, educational programs, and expenses by border, seasonal, and other short-term workers in the United States. These expenditures represented 29% of total U.S. travel and tourism exports.

Implications and Future Outlook

The data reflects a robust recovery in the U.S. travel and tourism sector, with international visitors playing a pivotal role in driving economic growth. The sustained increase in spending highlights the attractiveness of the United States as a premier travel destination and underscores the sector’s resilience in the face of global challenges.

“The significant increase in spending by international visitors is a testament to the United States’ appeal as a top travel destination. This growth is vital for our economy, supporting millions of jobs and fostering cultural exchange,” said a spokesperson from the NTTO.

As the travel and tourism industry continues to rebound, the U.S. is poised to maintain its position as a global leader. April 2024’s record-breaking figures set a promising tone for the months ahead, with expectations of continued growth and economic benefits from international tourism.

Written by: Jason Smith

=====================================