In a stunning turn of events for the U.S. travel industry, May 2024 marked a pivotal moment with unprecedented growth in both inbound and outbound international travel. Data released by the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) underscores the robust recovery and resilience of the travel sector as the world moves further away from the shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Inbound Surge: A 12.7% Increase in International Arrivals

May 2024 saw international visitor arrivals to the United States soar to 6,068,711, representing a remarkable 12.7% increase compared to May 2023. This surge has brought the U.S. back to 90.5% of its pre-pandemic visitor volume from May 2019, a critical benchmark indicating the industry’s near-complete recovery. Notably, this marked the thirty-eighth consecutive month of year-over-year growth in international arrivals, a testament to the country’s enduring appeal to global travellers.

The influx was particularly pronounced among overseas visitors, whose numbers climbed by 17.5% from the previous year, totalling 3,042,475 in May. This figure highlights a sustained upward trajectory, with overseas visitor numbers exceeding 2 million for the fifteenth consecutive month.

Among the top 20 tourist-generating countries, Canada stood out with the highest volume of visitors, contributing 1,726,007 arrivals. However, it was the only country in the top ranks to report a slight decrease of 0.2% compared to May 2023. Mexico followed closely with 1,300,229 visitors, while the United Kingdom, India, and Germany rounded out the top five, collectively accounting for a substantial 63.2% of total international arrivals.

Outbound Travel: U.S. Citizens on the Move

Not only did the U.S. witness a surge in incoming visitors, but outbound travel by U.S. citizens also reached new heights. In May 2024, 9,265,840 U.S. citizens departed for international destinations, marking a 9.7% increase over May 2023. This figure exceeds pre-pandemic levels, reaching 108.6% of the departures recorded in May 2019, illustrating the rekindled wanderlust among American travellers.

North America, comprising Mexico and Canada, continued to dominate as the primary destination for U.S. travellers, accounting for 49.6% of the total outbound market share year-to-date. Mexico, in particular, attracted 3,024,756 U.S. visitors in May, representing 32.6% of all departures and a 39.6% share for the year-to-date.

Europe emerged as the second-largest destination for U.S. outbound travel, with 2,382,286 departures in May 2024, reflecting a significant 10.9% increase compared to the previous year. The Caribbean also remained popular, with combined year-to-date departures of 4,974,473, and Mexico accounted for over half of all U.S. international departures.

The Road Ahead: A Positive Outlook for U.S. Travel

The data from May 2024 paint a picture of a recovering and thriving travel industry. The consistent growth in inbound and outbound travel volumes underscores renewed confidence in global mobility and a strong demand for travel experiences. As the U.S. continues to welcome millions of international visitors while its citizens explore the world, the future of travel looks brighter than ever.

Travel industry stakeholders, including airlines, hotels, and tour operators, can take solace in these numbers, which signal robust consumer demand and a return to normalcy. The NTTO’s report offers a promising outlook for the months ahead, suggesting that the travel sector is on a path of sustained growth and has the potential to surpass even pre-pandemic levels.

Key Takeaways:

• Inbound Visitors: 6,068,711 international arrivals in May 2024, a 12.7% increase from May 2023.
• Outbound Travelers: 9,265,840 U.S. citizens travelled abroad, up 9.7% from May 2023.
• Top Destinations: Canada, Mexico, and Europe lead in inbound and outbound travel.
• Sustained Growth: 38 consecutive months of year-over-year growth in international arrivals.

As we move forward, these figures stand as a testament to the resilience and enduring appeal of the United States as a premier travel destination and the growing eagerness of Americans to explore the world beyond their borders.

Written by: Soo James

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