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Americans are packing their passports and heading abroad like never before, with a record 107.7 million U.S. residents travelling internationally in 2024 — a buoyant 9.2% jump on the previous year and a spirited 8% leap over the pre-pandemic heyday 2019.

The National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) has just released its much-anticipated Outbound Survey of International Air Travellers (SIAT), delivering a trove of insight into where Americans are wandering, what they’re doing once they arrive, and—perhaps most intriguingly—who’s taking the lead in travel decision-making. Spoiler alert: it’s the ladies.

53.8 Million and Counting: Overseas Booms Beyond Pre-COVID Benchmarks

The most eye-catching figure of all? A robust 53.8 million Americans jetted off to overseas destinations in 2024—an impressive 9.8% surge year-on-year and a complete 20% ahead of the old 2019 benchmark.

For those wondering where all those stars and stripes ended up, the UK took top billing with 6 million visitors, trailed closely by Italy (4.2 million), France (4.1 million), the Dominican Republic (3.7 million), and Spain (3.1 million). No surprises there—Europe continues to lure Americans with the promise of romance, ruins and authentic croissants.

Meanwhile, the U.S.’s closest neighbours remain steadfast favourites:

Mexico welcomed a hefty 39.9 million Americans, a solid 8.1% rise from 2023, with Cancun and Mexico City leading the charm offensive.
Canada, ever the gracious northern host, enticed 14.1 million U.S. travellers—up 10.2%—with Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal topping the charts.

Californians Lead the Charge, Closely Followed by New Yorkers

When it comes to international jet-setting, the Golden State truly shines. Californians accounted for 7.7 million overseas trips in 2024, narrowly outpacing New Yorkers (6 million), Floridians (5.3 million), Texans (3.7 million), and New Jerseyans (3.1 million).

These states lead in departures and embody the diverse demographic tapestry of outbound travellers. Notably, 57.1% of women respondents identified as the head of the household—marking the highest share in over a decade. Whether solo travelling or planning multigenerational trips, American women are steering the travel ship.

A Deeper Dive into the American Tourist

Beyond the destinations, the SIAT reveals a fascinating portrait of the modern U.S. traveller:

Average trip duration: 15.3 nights abroad. That’s more than a fortnight of foreign adventure.
Average spend: US$1,907, up 7% from 2023—proof that Americans are not just travelling more but splurging more too.
Average household income: A respectable US$163,000, a tidy 10% bump on last year.
Trip planning window: 109 days ahead of departure—suggesting a penchant for precision rather than spontaneity.
Trip purpose: 61% were on holiday, 27% visited friends or relatives, and 5% travelled for business.
The top activities were sightseeing (81.6%), shopping (71.4%), exploring small towns and the countryside (46.1%), visiting historical sites (43.0%), and taking guided tours (38.6%).

On the demographic front, the numbers reveal a welcome trend towards broader representation:

Black travellers: 11.6%
Asian travellers: 18.6%
Indigenous travellers: 3.0%
Hispanic travellers: 21.5%

In short, the face of the U.S. outbound traveller is more diverse, female-led, and affluent than ever.

Travel with Intent: The Rise of Countryside and Culture

While big-ticket cities like London, Rome, and Paris remain firm favourites, a growing segment of Americans is choosing smaller towns and countryside jaunts. Nearly half of all overseas travellers spent time beyond urban hubs—a nod to the rising appetite for slower, more profound, and more authentic travel experiences.

Whether wandering the Loire Valley, truffle-hunting in Tuscany, or strolling through Banff’s national park grandeur, the lure of the road less travelled is strong.

SIAT: The Statistical Powerhouse Behind the Insights

For those keen to explore the raw numbers (and there are plenty), the SIAT Monitor offers a remarkably user-friendly interface. From country-specific analysis to year-to-date regional trends, the tool covers outbound air travel data stretching back to 2012. It includes everything from purpose-of-trip banners to detailed demographic breakdowns by region.

It’s all part of NTTO’s push to offer data that’s not only comprehensive but also highly accessible to researchers, policymakers, marketers, and yes—journalists with an affinity for data-rich storytelling.

To dig into the full suite of resources, curious minds can visit the official SIAT Program Page here: NTTO SIAT Program.

In Conclusion

The 2024 NTTO data confirms what we all suspected: Americans travel abroad with gusto, confidence, and increasingly diverse tastes. With women leading the way and small towns edging out skyscrapers, the traditional mould of the American tourist is cracking open to reveal a traveller who’s richer—in both wallet and worldview.

As the globe continues to shrink (and airfare doesn’t), expect the 2025 stats to be even more staggering. And in true American fashion, don’t be surprised if they start planning their 2026 getaways by Christmas.