In a welcome nod to pre-COVID travel habits and a boost to the tourism sector’s confidence, new figures from the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office reveal international travel to and from the United States has not just returned—it’s revving its engines.
April 2025 saw a total of 5,957,985 international visitors descend upon American soil. That’s a modest yet meaningful 1.3% on the same month last year. It also puts inbound travel at 84.6% of the golden age benchmark—April 2019, before the world’s borders got tangled in a web of testing booths, QR codes and dreaded cancellation emails.
On the flip side, Americans are once again proving their love of a passport stamp, with outbound trips surging to 8,564,586 in April—a robust 5.9% increase from 2024. Compared to April 2019? They’re well ahead of the curve, clocking in at 112.8% of pre-pandemic levels. If there’s one thing Americans refuse to compromise on, it’s their annual dose of margaritas on Mexican beaches or wine-fuelled wanderings through the vineyards of France.
Mexico and Canada Still Kingpins of Inbound Travel
The top five countries sending tourists Stateside tell a familiar tale: Mexico led the charge with nearly 1.5 million visitors, closely trailed by Canada (1.42 million). The United Kingdom followed at a polite distance with 403,974 visitors—no doubt many drawn by New York’s theatre scene, outlet malls, or an insatiable appetite for ranch dressing.
Germany (193,226) and France (182,700) rounded out the top five, contributing a combined 61.9% of total arrivals. So great was the French turnout that one could be forgiven for thinking the Statue of Liberty had been mistaken for the Eiffel Tower.
Interestingly, overseas arrivals (excluding our North American neighbours) hit 3,047,094—a tidy 8% jump from April 2024. That suggests jet lag is no longer scaring off the long-haul crowd.
UK and India Lead the Business Charge
British suits were the most frequent flyers on the business front, with 45,753 business travellers crossing the Atlantic in April. India wasn’t far behind with 39,400, followed by Japan (23,490), Germany (22,866), and South Korea (17,283). Trade talks, tech meetups and boardroom bartering are well and truly back on the agenda.
Students also contributed to inbound numbers. Chinese nationals accounted for 7,613 student arrivals in April, with India (6,171) and South Korea (1,976) making notable academic contributions. Brazil and the UK also cracked the top five, underscoring America’s enduring appeal as a destination not only for Instagram selfies but also for degrees and diplomas.
Americans Fly the Flag Overseas
Meanwhile, outbound U.S. travel tells an equally spirited story. The April tally of over 8.5 million international departures continues a trend first glimpsed in early 2024: Americans have rediscovered their international mojo.
Unsurprisingly, Mexico remains the most visited destination, welcoming a staggering 3.3 million Americans in April alone. That accounts for nearly 39% of total U.S. departures for the month. You can almost hear the sizzling fajitas.
Canada, however, bucked the trend with an 11.1% decline in year-on-year visitor numbers. The chilly spring or simply the allure of Europe’s cobbled streets may have made it too tempting.
Europe claimed the silver medal, drawing 1.74 million U.S. visitors in April, 20.4% of total outbound travel. That’s a healthy 5.2% increase on April 2024. A reminder, perhaps, that while Vegas may glitter, the Amalfi Coast glows.
Caribbean and Continental Charms
Year-to-date, Mexico (13.7 million visitors) and the Caribbean (4 million) represented 54.4% of all American outbound travellers. Whether sipping rum in Barbados or snorkelling in Cozumel, the trend is clear: warm water still wins.
Looking Ahead
With Easter falling in April this year—unlike 2024, when it arrived in March—some comparison data is inevitably tinged by holiday travel variance. But even accounting for the calendar shift, the numbers don’t lie.
We’re seeing the most unambiguous indication yet that international tourism—both inbound and outbound—is in recovery mode, and it’s not limping back. It’s marching confidently, carrying its suitcase with purpose and a passport.
As always, the devil is in the data—but this time, the data brings good tidings.
By Jason Smith
