U.S. Outbound Travelers Characteristics 2024
NTTO Publishes Characteristics of U.S. Outbound Travelers to Overseas Destinations for Calendar Year 2024
U.S. resident outbound travelers totaled a record-breaking 107.7 million, up 9.2 percent from 2023.
The National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) is releasing the results of the Outbound Survey of International Air Travelers (SIAT) for calendar year 2024. The Outbound SIAT measures the characteristics and destinations of international outbound air travelers who are residents of the United States.
International Outbound Travelers from the United States in Calendar Year 2024
- Total international (Overseas, Canada, and Mexico) U.S. outbound travelers reached 107.7 million in 2024, up 9.2 percent from 2023 and up 8.0 percent over its previous (pre-covid) 2019 high of 99.7 million.
- U.S. visitation to Mexico, the largest outbound market (39.9 million), increased 8.1 percent from 2023 and was almost on par with its 2019 level.
- Top destinations: Cancun (4.8M), Mexico City (3.1M), Cabo San Lucas (1.2M), Guadalajara (1.0M), Puerto Vallarta (870K).
- Top destinations: Cancun (4.8M), Mexico City (3.1M), Cabo San Lucas (1.2M), Guadalajara (1.0M), Puerto Vallarta (870K).
- U.S. visitation to Canada, with a significant but smaller base (14.1 million), increased 10.2 percent from 2023, and achieved 94 percent of its 2019 level.
- Top destinations: Toronto (1.8M), Vancouver (1.2M), Montreal (949K), Calgary (511K), Banff (279K).
- Top destinations: Toronto (1.8M), Vancouver (1.2M), Montreal (949K), Calgary (511K), Banff (279K).
- U.S. visitation to overseas countries (53.8 million) increased 9.8 percent from 2023 and exceeded the 2019 level by 20 percent.
- Americans visited 138 countries in 2024. The top overseas countries visited were the United Kingdom (6.0M), Italy (4.2M), France (4.1M), the Dominican Republic (3.7M), and Spain (3.1M).
- Americans visited 138 countries in 2024. The top overseas countries visited were the United Kingdom (6.0M), Italy (4.2M), France (4.1M), the Dominican Republic (3.7M), and Spain (3.1M).
- Top states of residence for U.S. travelers to overseas destinations were California (7.7M), New York (6.0M), Florida (5.3M), Texas (3.7M), and New Jersey (3.1M).
- Top-line characteristics of the 53.763 million overseas outbound air travelers from the United States:
- The average U.S. outbound traveler had a combined annual household income of $163,000 - up 10 percent from 2023, stayed 15.3 nights and spent $1,907 - up 7 percent from 2023, outside of the United States.
- The average U.S. outbound traveler started planning their trip outside the United States 109 days prior to departure.
- Vacation/Holiday was the top main purpose of the trip (61 percent), followed by Visit Friends/Relatives (27 percent) and Business (5 percent).
- Sightseeing was the top (81.6 percent) leisure activity engaged, followed by Shopping (71.4 percent), Small Towns/Countryside (46.1 percent), Historical Locations (43.0 percent), and Guided Tours (38.6 percent).
- 57.1 percent of American women traveling overseas responded as head of the household, the largest share going back more than a decade.
- Additional demographics: Black 11.6 percent, Asian 18.6 percent, Indigenousness 3.0 percent; Hispanic 21.5 percent.
- The average U.S. outbound traveler had a combined annual household income of $163,000 - up 10 percent from 2023, stayed 15.3 nights and spent $1,907 - up 7 percent from 2023, outside of the United States.
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