As summer wanes, U.S. families are seizing their final opportunities for overseas travel before the new school year begins. Whether it’s a beach vacation in the Caribbean, a mountain retreat in the Alps, or an urban exploration in Europe, summer remains the most popular season for U.S. residents to venture abroad.
The year 2023 marked a significant milestone as U.S. international travel surpassed pre-pandemic levels for the first time since COVID-19 disrupted global tourism. Building on this momentum, 2024 is poised to set new records, with Americans traveling abroad in unprecedented numbers. This surge has been driven by a combination of factors, including pent-up demand, more flexible work arrangements, and favorable airfares.
Trends in U.S. Citizens Traveling Abroad
Source: Daily Drop analysis of U.S. Department of Commerce data
Between 2019 and 2020, U.S. international travel experienced a drastic decline of approximately 75% due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The market began to recover in 2021 and 2022, showing modest gains. However, it was not until 2023 that the number of Americans traveling abroad not only returned to pre-pandemic levels, but also surpassed them. In 2023, international travel saw an approximate 10% increase compared to 2019. This upward trend has continued into the first half of 2024, with an additional 10% increase over 2023 levels. This consistent growth underscores the strong rebound in international travel as travelers regain confidence.
Top Overseas Destinations for U.S. Travelers
Source: Daily Drop analysis of U.S. Department of Commerce data
In 2023, U.S. travelers showed a strong preference for destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia. The United Kingdom emerged as the top-visited destination, attracting over 5.1 million American tourists. Other European favorites included Italy with 4.4 million visits, France with 3.7 million visits, Spain with 2.5 million visits, and Germany with 2.3 million visits. These countries continue to draw U.S. travelers with their rich history, cultural heritage, and iconic landmarks.
In the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica were the leading destinations, drawing 3.5 million and 2.0 million American tourists, respectively. These destinations are particularly popular among residents from Florida, New York, and the Southeastern U.S., offering a mix of warm-weather activities, vibrant cultures, and convenient travel options. Asia also featured prominently on the travel list, with Japan and India ranking among the top 10 most-visited countries by Americans in 2023. Japan’s blend of traditional and modern attractions and India’s vast cultural and historical offerings continue to attract a growing number of U.S. visitors.
Significant growth in travel was observed in Middle Eastern countries such as Turkey, Egypt, and the UAE, each recording a more than 75% increase in U.S. travelers in 2023 compared to 2019. Several factors contributed to this surge, including relaxed visa requirements, enhanced marketing campaigns, and improved flight connectivity. These efforts have made these destinations more accessible and appealing to American tourists seeking new experiences.
However, geopolitical tensions, particularly the evolving Hamas-Israel conflict, have impacted traveler confidence, leading to a decline in tourism to the region in 2024 compared to the previous year. Despite this, the overall upward trend in visits to the Middle East highlights the growing interest of U.S. travelers in these destinations.
Overseas Travel by Location
Source: Daily Drop analysis of U.S. Department of Commerce data
The frequency of overseas travel varies significantly by state and city of residence. Nationally, there were 146 overseas trips per 1,000 Americans in 2023, translating to an average of one international trip every six to seven years for each American. However, residents of certain cities and states travel abroad far more frequently.
At the state level, residents of New York and New Jersey travel overseas at roughly twice the national frequency. In 2023, New Yorkers made a total of 5.9 million trips to overseas destinations (301 per 1,000 residents), while New Jerseyans completed 2.7 million trips (291 per 1,000 residents). Other top states include Florida, Connecticut, and Virginia. Generally, residents of more diverse coastal states travel abroad more often than their inland counterparts. The three states with the lowest rates of overseas travel are Mississippi, Arkansas, and Idaho, each recording international travel rates of about one-third the national average or lower.
Similar trends hold at the local level, with top coastal metropolitan areas like Miami, San Francisco, and New York City recording the highest rates of overseas travel. These locations benefit from major international airports and diverse populations with strong global connections, contributing to their higher travel frequencies.
This analysis was conducted by Daily Drop, a website that compares travel rewards programs, using data from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Survey of International Air Travelers Program. Researchers calculated outbound air travel conducted by U.S. residents to overseas destinations (not including Mexico or Canada), then ranked states accordingly.
Here is a summary of the data for Washington:
- Overseas trips per 1K population (2023): 176.1
- Total overseas trips (2023): 1,371,000
- Total overseas trips (2019): 1,120,000
- Percentage change in overseas trips (2019–2023): +22.4%
- Average trip length (days): 17.4
- Most popular destinations for travelers: United Kingdom; Japan; Italy
For reference, here are the statistics for the entire United States:
- Overseas trips per 1K population (2023): 146.2
- Total overseas trips (2023): 48,963,000
- Total overseas trips (2019): 44,808,000
- Percentage change in overseas trips (2019–2023): +9.3%
- Average trip length (days): 13.3
- Most popular destinations for travelers: United Kingdom; Italy; France
For more information, a detailed methodology, and complete results, see Cities That Travel the Most Overseas on Daily Drop.
