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Travel and Tourism

Travel and tourism satellite account for 2018-2022.

The travel and tourism industry—as measured by the real output of goods and services sold directly to visitors—increased 21.0 percent in 2022 after increasing 53.6 percent in 2021, according to the most recent statistics from BEA’s Travel and Tourism Satellite Account.

Data & Articles

• U.S. Travel and Tourism Satellite Account for 2018–2022 By Hunter Arcand and Paul Kern - Survey of Current Business April 2024
• "U.S. Travel and Tourism Satellite Account for 2015–2019" By Sarah Osborne - Survey of Current Business December 2020
• "U.S. Travel and Tourism Satellite Account for 2015-2017" By Sarah Osborne and Seth Markowitz - Survey of Current Business June 2018
• Tourism Satellite Accounts 1998-2019
• Tourism Satellite Accounts Data A complete set of detailed annual statistics for 2017-2021 is coming soon -->
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Documentation

• Product Guide

Previously Published Estimates

• Data Archive This page provides access to an archive of estimates previously published by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Please note that this archive is provided for research only. The estimates contained in this archive include revisions to prior estimates and may not reflect the most recent revision for a particular period.
• News Release Archive

What is Travel and Tourism?

Measures how much tourists spend and the prices they pay for lodging, airfare, souvenirs, and other travel-related items. These statistics also provide a snapshot of employment in the travel and tourism industries.

What’s a Satellite Account?

• TTSA Sarah Osborne (301) 278-9459
• News Media Connie O'Connell (301) 278-9003 [email protected]

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United States Visitor Arrivals

• United States Visitor Arrivals recorded 6,068,711 person in May 2024, compared with 5,889,335 person in the previous month
• United States Visitor Arrivals data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1996 to May 2024
• The data reached an all-time high of 8,418,370 person in Aug 2014 and a record low of 248,486 person in Apr 2020

View United States's Visitor Arrivals from Jan 1996 to May 2024 in the chart:

What was United States's Visitor Arrivals in May 2024?

United States Visitor Arrivals recorded 6,068,711 person in May 2024, compared with 5,889,335 person in the previous month See the table below for more data.

Visitor Arrivals by Country Comparison

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United States Key Series

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Travel & Tourism - United States

• United States
• The Travel & Tourism market is expected to generate a revenue of US$214.40bn in the United States by 2024.
• The market is projected to grow at an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2029) of 4.37%, resulting in a market volume of US$265.50bn by 2029.
• The Hotels market is the largest market in the market and is expected to reach a projected market volume of US$110.60bn in 2024.
• By 2029, the number of users in the Hotels market is expected to reach 185.30m users.
• The user penetration rate is projected to increase from 71.0% in 2024 to 81.5% in 2029.
• The average revenue per user (ARPU) is estimated to be US$0.88k.
• By 2029, 69% of the total revenue in the Travel & Tourism market is expected to be generated through online sales.
• In terms of global comparison, United States is projected to generate the highest revenue in the market, with a revenue of US$214.40bn in 2024.
• The United States' Travel & Tourism industry has been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in decreased international travel and a shift towards domestic travel.

Key regions: Malaysia , Europe , Singapore , Vietnam , United States

Definition:

The Travel & Tourism market encompasses a diverse range of accommodation services catering to the needs and preferences of travelers. This dynamic market includes package holidays, hotel accommodations, private vacation rentals, camping experiences, and cruises.

The market consists of five further markets.

• The Cruises market covers multi-day vacation trips on a cruise ship. The Cruises market encompasses exclusively passenger ticket revenues.
• The Vacation Rentals market comprises of private accommodation bookings which includes private holiday homes and houses as well as short-term rental of private rooms or flats.
• The Hotels market includes stays in hotels and professionally run guest houses.
• The Package Holidays market comprises of travel deals that normally contain travel and accommodation sold for one price, although optional further provisions can be included such as catering and tourist services.
• The Camping market includes bookings at camping sites for pitches using tents, campervans, or trailers. These can be associated with big chains or privately managed campsites.

Additional Information:

The main performance indicators of the Travel & Tourism market are revenues, average revenue per user (ARPU), users and user penetration rates. Additionally, online and offline sales channel shares display the distribution of online and offline bookings. The ARPU refers to the average revenue one user generates per year while the revenue represents the total booking volume. Revenues are generated through both online and offline sales channels and include exclusively B2C revenues and users for the above-mentioned markets. Users represent the aggregated number of guests. Each user is only counted once per year. Additional definitions for each market can be found within the respective market pages.

The booking volume includes all booked travels made by users from the selected region, independent of the departure and arrival. The scope includes domestic and outbound travel.

Prominent players in this sector include online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia and Opodo, as well as tour operators such as TUI. Specialized platforms like Hotels.com, Booking.com, and Airbnb facilitate the online booking of hotels and private accommodations, contributing significantly to the market's vibrancy.

For further information on the data displayed, refer to the info button right next to each box.

• Bookings directly via the website of the service provider, travel agencies, online travel agencies (OTAs) or telephone

out-of-scope

• Business trips
• Other forms of trips (e.g. excursions, etc.)

Travel & Tourism

• Vacation Rentals
• Package Holidays
• Analyst Opinion

The Travel & Tourism market in United States has been experiencing significant growth and development in recent years. Customer preferences: Travelers in the United States are increasingly seeking unique and authentic experiences, driving the demand for personalized and tailored travel packages. Additionally, there is a growing interest in sustainable and eco-friendly tourism practices among consumers. Trends in the market: One prominent trend in the United States travel market is the rise of experiential travel, where travelers prioritize activities and interactions that allow them to immerse themselves in the local culture. Furthermore, the use of technology, such as mobile apps for booking accommodations and experiences, has become increasingly popular among travelers in the country. Local special circumstances: The United States boasts a diverse range of attractions and destinations, from vibrant cities to picturesque natural landscapes, catering to a wide variety of traveler preferences. Additionally, the country's well-developed infrastructure and transportation networks make it easily accessible for both domestic and international tourists. Underlying macroeconomic factors: The strong economy in the United States has contributed to the growth of the Travel & Tourism market, as consumers have more disposable income to spend on leisure activities. Additionally, favorable government policies and initiatives to promote tourism have further supported the expansion of the market in the country.

• Methodology

Data coverage:

Modeling approach:

Additional notes:

• Sales Channels
• Travel Behavior
• User Demographics
• Global Comparison
• Key Market Indicators

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100 US tourism statistics (2024 update)

The big picture: us travel spending in figures.

• Travel spending in the US stood at $1.2 trillion in 2022, matching pre-pandemic levels
• The economic footprint produced by this was $2.6 million
• In 2019, the total direct domestic and international traveler spending was $1.1 trillion.
• In 2022, travel accounted for 1.2 trillion in spending nationwide
• In 2022, the average price for a round-trip domestic flight was $378
• On arrival, the daily average cost for travel in most major US cities was $354.55 including a hotel, car rental and meals

Incoming! Inbound travelers on the rise

• 2018 saw the highest number of international inbound travelers to the US of the decade: nearly 80 million people came to the US from overseas.
• In 2021, international arrivals to the United States totaled 22.1 million. This was a 15% increase from 2020 (19.2 million).
• In 2019, the average overseas traveler spent $3700 during their visit to the US
• Each overseas traveler stayed an average of 17 nights
• However, international arrivals in the US declined to 29 million in 2021, representing a 36% decrease from 2019
• Williamsburg is the cheapest US city to travel to, with an average daily cost of $89. Rapid City in South Dakota follows, with Dallas coming in third with a daily cost of $102.
• The 2022 National Travel and Tourism strategy aims to welcome 90 million international visitors annually by 2027.
• New York City is the preferred destination for international arrivals, welcoming 5.42 million in 2020. Even in such a fraught year, NYC continued to appeal to inbound tourism. That year, Miami came second, with 3.43 million international arrivals, and Los Angeles welcomed 3.38 million.
• The United Kingdom is the leading overseas inbound tourism generator. In 2019, around 4.8 million UK citizens traveled to the US.
• Cultural activities tend to be a priority for both inbound and outbound travelers. 65% of respondents wish to visit history museums and art galleries, while 59% prefer aquariums and 56% prefer science museums.
• Backpacking is a popular activity, but not all US cities are very affordable. New Orleans is one of the most backpacking-friendly, with an average daily price of $94.7. It is followed by Miami Beach at $97.9 and Washington Beach at $106.6.

Domestic tourism: travel within the US

• Nearly five in 10 Americans (48%) opt for domestic tourism because of high inflation and rising prices
• In 2022, domestic leisure travel generated $837 billion, while domestic corporate travel stood at $234 billion.
• 80% of trips in the US are leisure trips.
• Normally, a domestic vacation trip lasts 3-4 days. Only 5% of domestic travelers travel for over two weeks at a time.
• The top destinations for domestic tourists are Miami, Las Vegas, and New York City.
• Trips are generally booked 1-3 months in advance, with Gen Z getting much of their travel inspiration from social media.
• The most popular airlines in the United States are Delta, Southwest, and United. In 2023, domestic airlines in the US are seeing revenue increased by 2.4% from 2022.

Heading off! And that’s on outbound travel

• The number of outbound tourists is increasing. In 2019, 99.74 million US residents traveled outside the country. During 2020, this number fell sharply to 33.5 million.
• However, by the end of 2021, outbound tourism showed some recovery, with 49.1 million people traveling outside the borders once more.
• Before the pandemic hit, the number of outbound tourists had stayed below 55 million since 2002.
• The USA is the largest inbound travel market for Canada, with 15 million total tourist arrivals in 2019. US residents took over 1.2 million trips to Canada in December 2022, more than double the number of trips taken in December 2021. (Stat Can)
• By the end of 2022, almost 14 million people traveled to Europe. This was by far the top destination for outbound US tourism travel outside the Americas. This was a significant increase from 2021, when just over 4 million people traveled to Europe due to the coronavirus restrictions.
• Mexico is also a highly popular destination for US tourists. In 2019, around 8 million traveled to Mexico via air travel, while over 23 million traveled through different means of transport.
• In 2022, over 3 million US residents traveled to the Central America region, to countries including Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Belize.
• Africa has consistently been the least chosen option for travel outside the US, with just over 500,000 US tourists traveling to Africa in 2022.
• July is the month that consistently sees the most outbound travel. In July 2022, around 9 million US residents traveled outside the country.

The rocketing popularity of hiking tourism

• In the US, hiking is the 4th most popular outdoor activity. Running is number one followed by fishing and biking.
• The National Scenic and Historic Trails are maintained and managed by over 1 million volunteers.
• Close to 59 million people in the US participated in hiking activities at least once in 2021. This was the highest figure recorded in North America since 2010 and represents a growth of 80.4%.
• 45% of hikers are female, and 55% are male.
• The US National Trails System consists of around 193,000 hiking miles on federal land.
• The most dangerous hike in the US is Mount Rainier. This is due to quickly changing weather, falling rocks, avalanches, and an unpredictable volcano.
• An estimated 881,000 US residents began hiking in 2022 alone.
• There are plenty of hiking trails to choose from in the US, with Yosemite National Park in California and the Tongass National Forest in Alaska two of the most popular destinations.

Medical tourism: rising on a global scale

• In 2020, China was the leading country of origin for medical travelers in the US (15%)
• About 0.5% of all air travelers entering the United States annually—between 100,000 and 200,000 people—list health treatment as a reason for visiting.
• The most common procedures that people undergo on medical tourism trips include dental care, cosmetic surgery, fertility treatments, organ and tissue transplantation, and cancer treatment.
• China was the largest source market for medical tourism in the US in 2020, representing 15.1% of total expenditure.
• Medical tourists make up between 0.2% and 0.6% of all outbound US air travelers annually.
• US outbound medical tourists are thought to make up about 10% of the worldwide total.
• South America represents the largest destination market for such travelers (26% of the total), followed by Central America (18%) and the Caribbean (19%).

Sports tourism: from basketball to baseball

• In 2018, sports travel made up 8% of the total domestic travel market, resulting in 190 million domestic trips to attend or participate in a sporting event.
• In 2019, there were 179 million sports travelers across the US. After a dip during the pandemic, the sector bounced back with 175 million travelers by the end of 2021.
• On average, sports travelers spend 3.9 nights in a destination.
• The average party size for sports travelers was 3.2 people – slightly larger than for leisure travelers overall.
• Nearly half (47%) of sports travelers bring children on their trips.
• 10% of sports travelers are first-time visitors.
• 25% of sports travelers included a flight on their travels – slightly higher than leisure travelers overall.
• Travelers attending or participating in a sporting event spent over $41 billion in 2018.
• Sports travel spending reached almost $40 billion in 2021 as the sports travel industry recovered. Of this figure, $9.7 billion went into transport (including airfare, car rentals, public transport, parking, etc). Accommodation made up $8.4 billion, food and beverages $7.5 billion, $5 billion in retail.
• With direct, indirect, and induced jobs in mind, sports tourism across the United States supported 635,061 jobs in 2021. Of those, 357,017 were direct jobs.
• In 2018, 24% of international travelers showed interest in participating in sports tourism while in the US. In 2019, that figure rose to 37%. Over 50% of South Korean international travelers to the US wished to attend a professional sports event. Sports events in the NBA, NFL, or MLB were the most cited.

Business tourism: in-person meetings are still around

• In 2019, 5.4 million business travelers arrived in the United States from overseas.
• Air travel accounts for 16% of all business trips in the US.
• An estimated 1.3 million business trips are taken in the US every day.
• US businesses spend $31.6 billion on international travel every year.
• In 2020, the number of domestic business trips in the United States dropped by more than 60% over the previous year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
• In the US, nearly $328 billion was spent on international and domestic business trips in 2018.
• In the US, around 81% of all business trips are taken by car, while 16% are taken by plane.
• While business travelers account for only 12% of flight tickets, they generate roughly twice as much money per person for airlines as non-business customers.
• Business tourism spending in the US currently stands at an impressive $121.9 billion annually.
• The US is full of booming business hubs, but major cities New York and Chicago come in at the top of the list.
• New York City is the most expensive city for business travel, with daily costs adding up to ($799), followed by Geneva, ($716 per day), Zurich ($661 per day), Washington DC ($621 per day), and Paris ($617 per day).
• 26% of all business trips are one day long, according to international travel statistics.
• Nearly 40% of millennials travel for business.
• Travelers aged 18 to 29 take 16% of all business trips.
• For every trip, US businesses spend nearly $950 per traveler who travels inside the US, while the average cost for an international business trip is $2,600 per person.

Music tourism: as vibrant as ever

• In 2022, the music tourism market value stood at $5.5 billion.
• A third of US millennials say music is the main factor when choosing a destination, which is higher than the global average.
• 40% want to attend music festivals abroad, and one in four Americans would travel to a different country to watch their favorite artist perform.
• Number of tourists visiting the US for music-related events, concerts, or festivals.
• Austin, Texas, is the most popular destination for music lovers. Home to some of the most famous music festivals in the US, Austin is known as the ‘Live Music Capital of the World’.
• New Orleans is the chosen destination for jazz lovers, while New York offers everything from hip-hop to musical theater to soul.
• In New York City, the average music tourist spends around $400-500.

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U.S. Travel & Tourism Statistics 2020-2021

The ultimate fact guide to america's tourism industry including outbound, inbound, domestic & business travel figures..

The American tourism industry is thriving, International and domestic travel is currently contribution over $1.1 trillion to the United States GDP every year. When looking at the annual travel split of domestic and international travel, Americans domestically traveling within the country last year made up the lion's share, totaling 2.29 Billion, a 2% increase from the previous year. Following past US tourism trends, the volume of Americans outbound traveling internationally was of course much less, amounting to 79.6 Million, which was a 3.5% increase from the previous year.

Leisure based travel accounts for 73.8% of all tourism in America, leaving 26.2% for business and other reasons. Overall the tourism expenditure accounts for $1,089 Billion a year, and the industry provides a direct source of employment for 5.29 million jobs.

RELATED: 2022 Tourism Trends & Outlook

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TOP U.S. TOURISM STATISTICS:

US Citizen domestic tourism:   Americans take 2.29 Billion domestic trips each year.

US Citizen outbound tourism:   Americans take 93.0 Million international outbound trips each year.

International Inbound Tourism:   Annually, there are currently 79.6 Million international visitors to the US.

$1,089 Billion:   Yearly American tourism expenditure ($932.7b domestic / $156.3b international)

Expenditure sources:   $267.7B on food services, $232.2B on lodging, $200.4B on public transport, $166.5B on auto transportation, $112.6B on recreation, $109.6B on retail.

15.7 Million   American jobs were supported by travel in 2018.

By 2028,   yearly U.S. tourism is estimated to hit the $2.4 trillion mark.

Days/yr. traveled by age group: Gen Z   (29 days) , Millennials   (35 days) , Gen X   (26 days)   and Baby Boomers   (27 days).

Top 5 inbound countries:   Mexico (19.1m), Canada (12.3m), UK (4.9), Japan (3.4), China (2.9)

Top 5 outbound by continent:   Europe (17.7m), Caribbean (8.7m), Asia (6.2m), South America (2.1m), Central America (3.2m)

Top US cities visited:   New York (9.8m), Miami (5.38m), LA (4.98m), Orlando (4.47m), San Francisco (3.57m), Vegas (3.33m)

Business vs. leisure:   U.S. travelers took 466.2 million domestic trips for business (26.2%), and 1,779.7 million for leisure (73.8%)

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Quick links: navigate our statistic topics, how many americans travel out of their country a year, how much did americans and tourists spend on travel last year, how much is the travel industry worth to america, which american age groups travel the most, why do americans travel, what are the popular trending activities in america, how do americans book their travel.

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US INBOUND & OUTBOUND TOURISM STATISTICS

US domestic travel increased by +2%  YTD in 2019 with Americans taking 2.29 Billion domestic trips.

Domestic leisure travel increased 1.9%   in 2019 to 1.9 billion.

80% of all US domestic trips  were for leisure travel in 2019.

Domestic business travel in 2019   accounted for 464 million trips.

US Citizen outbound tourism:   Americans take 93.0 Million international outbound trips each year. (+6.3% YTD Change)

International Inbound Tourism:   Annually, there are currently 79.6 Million international visitors to the US. (+3.5% YTD Change)

Top 5 inbound countries:   Mexico (19.1m), Canada (12.3m), UK (4.9), Japan (3.4), China (2.9).

Top 5 outbound by continent:   Europe (17.7m), Caribbean (8.7m), Asia (6.2m), South America (2.1m), Central America (3.2m).

Top US cities visited:   New York (9.8m), Miami (5.38m), LA (4.98m), Orlando (4.47m), San Francisco (3.57m), Vegas (3.33m).

Each year,   35% of American families   plan vacations 50 miles or more from home.

In a Travel Leaders Group survey,   24%   of Americans stated they plan to travel to Europe.

22%   of American vacations are via road trips.

USA’s top 5 road trip routes:   #1 Las Vegas – National Parks, #2 Northern California - Southern Oregon Coast, #3 Northern New England, #4 Blue Ridge Parkway #5 Black Hills.

The lion’s share of the United States tourism is from its own citizen’s domestic travel, with over 2.29 billion Americans taking trips within the country. This saw a +2% year to date increase, which is enormous considering that domestic travel spend was worth $932.7 Billion.

As you can see from the US outbound travel statistics above, the number of Americans traveling out of the country is remarkably low compared to domestic travel. According to Trade.gov, outbound tourism hit 93 Million last year and saw a sizable +6.3% year to date increase, showing more Americans are willing to take an outbound trip and travel out the country.

The outbound travel expenditure of these 93 million people was worth $156.3 Billion to America’s tourism industry, so 6.3% is a very significant outbound tourism statistic! The hottest US outbound destinations were Europe, Caribbean, Asia, South America, and Central America.

The US inbound tourism statistics also paint a fascinating picture of America’s continued tourism industry growth, with visitors flocking from Mexico, Canada, UK, Japan, and China. International visitors totaled 79.6 Million with a 3.5% year to date increase, with the top US vacation destinations being cities such as New York, Miami, LA, Orlando, San Francisco, and Las Vegas.

Sources :   Statista ,   AAA ,   TravelLeadersGroup ,   TravelAgentCentral ,   MMGY

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AMERICAS TOURISM INDUSTRY SPEND STATISTICS

American’s spent around   $930 billion USD   on domestic travel in 2018.

In 2017 the amount spent on summer vacations was around   $101.1 billion USD , up from $89.9 billion in 2016.

$1.1 Trillion   / $1,089 Billion: Yearly U.S. travel and tourism expenditure ($932.7b domestic / $156.3b international).

U.S. leisure spend totalled   $761.7 billion   in 2018 from domestic and international travellers.

U.S. business sped totalled   $327 billion   in 2018, with $136 Billion from travellers attending conventions or meetings.

Expenditure Sources:   $267.7B on food services, $232.2B on lodging, $200.4B on public transport, $166.5B on auto transportation, $112.6B on recreation, $109.6B on retail.

Behind nightlife/dining,   travel was voted   America’s most popular choice for spending disposable income at   36%.

$101.1 Billion   is spent every year in America on summer vacations alone.

The average American spends   $6,080 on international trips.

Inbound overseas tourists stay an average of 18 nights and   spend $4,200   while in America.

Overseas travellers account for   84%   of international tourist spend, despite being half of all international arrivals.

Canadian tourists are the biggest spenders with   £22.2 billion   in the U.S. every year.

New York brings in  $16.1 Billion   a year from international visitors.

If you’re wondering how much Americans spend on travel each year, it was huge; International and domestic travelers spent $1.1 Trillion US dollars ($1,089 Billion). Americans spending through domestic travel increased by a massive +5.8% year to date, whereas international tourism spends only saw a 0.3% bump from the previous year. To break this down, this sort of spending would support 8.9M jobs, which in turn would generate $171 Billion in tax and $268 Billion in payroll.

Out of the $1.1 Trillion spending, leisure travelers from both international and domestic spent $762 Billion in 2018, which was a +6.1% increase from the previous year. When looking at business travel spend, it had risen +2.4% to $327 Billion, with 41.5% coming from

What are American tourists spending this $1.1 Trillion on? According to the latest US travel spending statistics, food services such as restaurants, bars, and grocery stores were the most popular spending category at 26.7%. This was followed by 23.1% on lodging, 20.0% on public transport, 16.6% on auto transportation, 11.2% on recreation, and 10.9% on retail.

Furthermore, this $1.1 Trillion spending isn’t the only financial impact of the tourists. When you look at the inputs used to supply or produce the goods travelers desire, and take into account the spend of the employees of travel businesses – there is a considerable multiplier of the financial impact to the US economy, estimated to be a total of $2.5 Trillion.

Sources :  US Travel ,  US Travel 2 ,  Phocuswright ,  TravelAgenctCentral ,  Squaremouth ,  Statista

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US TRAVEL AND TOURISM INDUSTRY JOB STATISTICS  

The travel industry accounts for   7.1%   of America’s private employment.

15.7 Million American jobs   were supported by travel in 2018.

8.92 Million   American travel-related jobs were supported by tourism in 2018 (7.73M domestic / 1.19M international)

$1 Million   in travel revenue directly produces eight jobs with the industry.

1 in 10 jobs   in the U.S. depend on the travel industry (Excluding farming).

$267.9 Billion   in payroll is generated yearly by U.S. travel and tourism ($234.6 Billion domestic / $33.3 Billion international).

$170.9 Billion   in tax revenue is generated yearly by U.S. travel and tourism ($147.3 Billion domestic / $23.6 Billion international).

A massive   $117.4 billion   of the $170.9b in tax revenue was spent on leisure travel, $53.5b on business.

International and domestic business travel generated   $327.3 billion   in 2018 through direct spending.

In 2018, U.S. residents recorded   463.6M   trips for business (38% being events and meetings).

The tourism industry is vital to the US economy, so much so that it accounts for 7.1% of the countries private employment. Overall, 15.7 Million American jobs were supported by the tourism industry last year, making one in eight non-farm jobs dependent on it in some way, direct and indirectly. The trend is on the up, the 15.7 Million American jobs in the travel industry had a +1.3% increase from the previous year.

Jobs, where workers are supplying goods or services directly to visitors, would be classed as ‘direct’ - this supported 8.9 million U.S. travel-specific jobs. The remaining 6.8 Million jobs were classed as indirect, these would include areas whereby workers created goods or services which helped produce the goods or services (sold or used by the 8.9M direct jobs).

The travel industry is known for being extremely labor intensive, its upwards trends have the power to develop new career opportunities much fast than any other niche. If you exclude the farming industry, one in ten jobs would be dependent on the travel industry – as an example, one in five non-farming industry jobs would be created from $1 million sales, but the same value in the travel industry would create one in eight.

Sources :  US Travel 1 ,  US Travel 2

US TRAVEL STATISTICS BY DEMOGRAPHIC

42%   of Americans own a passport, up from 27% 10 years ago.

Days a year traveling by age: Millennials ( 35 days ), Gen Z ( 29 days ), Baby Boomers ( 27 days ), and Gen X ( 26 days ).

Millennials :   62%   of parents travel with kids under five.

Millennials :   58%   prefer traveling with friends, 49% book last-minute vacations.

Millennials :   58%   want to solo travel,   26%   already have.

Solo Travel Women:   Take 3 more trips a year and are the most likely to travel alone.

Solo Travel: 43%   take over three trips a year.

Solo Travel: 50%   have a college or university diploma/degree.

Family: 4 out of 10   plan a trip with a family each year.

Family: 80%   take summertime trips to travel with family.

Family: 42%   opt for spring break vacations.

Baby Boomers:   Aim to take 4+ leisure vacations a year.

Baby Boomers: 30%   opt for a cruise as their vacation choice.

When analyzing the latest US outbound travel statistics by age, it was clear that millennials are the group willing to travel for the most extended period at 35 days a year, while generation X vacationed an average of 26 days.

Millennial Americans that are without children are now less of the typical ‘tourist’ and more of the ‘experience’ generation. Most of their booking habits are focused on exploring cultures, booking retreats, or activities rather than visiting theme parks and tourist trap areas. Their freedom and spontaneity let almost half of them book last-minute vacations, with or without friends as, to them, solo travel means cultural growth and meeting new people.

These travel age statistics also show us that half of the solo travelers take up to 3 more trips a year, have a college or university degree, and American solo travel is more prominent in women. What percentage of Americans own a passport? The myth was only one in ten do which appears in many blogs across the web, but now the Census and State department confirm that over 42% of Americans own a passport.

One travel by age group statistic shows almost one in three baby boomers opt for a cruise as their vacation and aim to take at least 4 trips per year. When it comes to families, the majority go during summer break (80%), and only 4 in 10 plan trips with their family. However, millennial families are far more likely to travel with younger children, at 62%.

Sources : Expedia, Resonanceco,  InternetMarketingInc ,  PRNewswire ,  SoloTravelWorld ,  TravelAgentCentral ,  NYU 1 ,  NYU 2 ,  AARP ,  TripAdvisor

REASONS AMERICANS TRAVEL FACTS & STATISTICS

Business/Leisure: U.S. travellers took   466.2 million   domestic trips for business (26.2%), and   1,779.7 million   for leisure (73.8%).

Family:   95%   prioritized their family to be happy and entertained.

Family:   89%   prioritized vacation deals and value.

Family:   85%   needed planning around school holidays.

Family:   85%   wanted outdoor activities for their family.

Gen Z:   55%   travelled to increase their knowledge and experience.

Gen Z:   40%   travelled to avoid stress and relax.

Millennials:   43%   want to find themselves.

Millennials:   23%   want to meet new people.

57%   of U.S. travellers would choose a free heritage vacation over alcohol for a year.

56%   of global international travellers agree it taught them life skills.

51%   want to escape normal life and recharge mentally.

42%   take trips to visit friends and family.

35%   are travelling to experience local delicacies.

Top   bucket list vacations   are volunteering trips (39%), food travel adventure (38%), mystery journey (38%), ancestry/heritage trip (36%), and sabbatical (36%).

59%   of solo travellers stated the reason they went alone is to see the world without waiting for others.

Why do Americans travel? When looking at the data from several survey sources, it was clear that the gender and age of respondents had little impact on the three most important factors.

RELATED: Find An Inspiring Tourism Speaker For Your Next Event

The most important reasons why Americans travel were:

Being with friends and family

Fun experiences (did index higher in younger generations)

Relaxing and unwinding

In terms of gender-based travel reasons, men indexed higher than women overall for exploring the great outdoors or outdoor activities that fall into that category. Generation Z, Millennials, or general age groups from 18-35 had higher responses around wanting to travel for music events or festivals than people aged 35 and over.

The most important trend we’ve noticed from reviewing multiple studies around American’s desires for travel is that younger generations are factoring in ‘experience tourism,’ this was very common in their responses. Experience tourism can be defined by people wanting to book activities or retreats, meet new people and ‘find themselves’. This is popular among solo travellers, like a cultural trip to Thailand for a detox retreat rather than visiting a traditional tourist attraction like a theme park.

Americans over 35 were keen on finding a vacation where food and drink was priority. Visiting a town or city that had cultural foodie scenes or breweries were very trendy.

Sources : ShortTermRentalz,  Wysetc ,  Trekksoft ,  TravelNews ,  USTravel ,  Booking.com ,  HospitalityNet ,  SoloTravelWorld

US TOURISM & TRAVEL ACTIVITY STATISTICS

Top 5 culture activities:   #1) 65% visit history/art museums, #2) 59% visit aquariums, #3) 56% visit science museums, #4) 55% visit theme parks, #5) 55% visit zoos

73%   of families take their children to a theme park, 34% aim for a world famous one.

Overseas visitors top 5 activities:   #1) 54% Shopping, #2) 49% visit historical/cultural sights, #3) 49% Restaurants, #4) 46% Monuments / National Parks, #5) 46% Sightseeing tours.

Trending:   89% increase in sunset cruise excursions trips since last year.

Trending : 64% increase in snorkelling activities since last year.

Trending : 55% increase in sailing trips since last year.

Trending : 49% increase in kayaking and canoeing experiences since last year.

33%   of visitors will get spa or beauty treatments while on vacation.

15%   of travellers book mindfulness or meditation retreats.

One of the reasons Americans do not travel abroad that much is that there is so much to offer in their own country. There is a wealth of cultural activities such as art galleries, museums that index high on the popular activities list, not to mention the volume of theme parks, zoos, and aquariums across the country.

Families want to book all-inclusive trips where everything is taken care of, and they can focus on shopping or taking their children sightseeing. An overwhelming volume of people wanted to book a cruise in the future, which pairs well with relaxing is one of the most popular reasons for travel data above. Cruises were particularly popular in respondents over the age of 45, as well as self-guided tours, whereas group tours were one of the least popular options for booking.

Even though sporting related activities are trending up, going to a physical sporting event was one of the least popular reasons Americans book travel, with most wanting to support their team… from home.

Sources :  MMGY ,  NYU , StatisticBrain,  TripAdvisor ,  Booking.com

RELATED: Online Destination Training For Agents

US TOURISM BOOKING STATISTICS

65%   of hotels are booked on the smartphone the same day as it was researched.

79%   of Americans researching trips will eventually book on their smartphone via app or online.

90%   of U.S. travellers use apps at their destination to make life easy.

#1 factor   in Americans booking travel is price, but reviews and amenities are close runners up.

Americans aged 18-24 classed   reviews   as the second most crucial factor in the booking.

Overall, travel is most commonly booked between   1 to 3 months   in advance.

Men are more likely to last-minute book their trips   2 to 4 weeks   out.

Excluding price as the main factor for Americans booking travel, amenities, and reviews were the most popular choices. So when comparing hotels, resorts or cruises of similar price, these are the factors that will sway the booking decision.

Popular amenities people look for when booking hotels are free breakfasts, pool access, fitness centers, and on-site restaurants. Public transportation was the least influential factor for people considering amenities when booking; this increased with ride-share options.

Only 11% of travellers book trips 6 months out; the most standard booking periods were for trips within 1 to 3 months.

Demographics wise, travelers without children would be the target market for last-minute booking, the no strings attached lifestyle leaves their schedules open. This makes them the ideal target for using last-minute deals to sign them up to hotel or travel loyalty programs.

Sources : StatisticBrain,  ThinkWithGoogle ,  Trekksoft

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Related articles, these six tourism trends will rule 2022, u.s. travel & tourism statistics 2023, top 20 tourism keynote topics for inspiring journeys.

United States Tourist Arrivals

Tourist arrivals in the united states increased to 6068711 in may from 5889335 in april of 2024. tourist arrivals in the united states averaged 4519397.78 from 1996 until 2024, reaching an all time high of 8418370.00 in august of 2014 and a record low of 248486.00 in april of 2020. source: office of travel and tourism industries, tourist arrivals in the united states is expected to be 6500000.00 by the end of this quarter, according to trading economics global macro models and analysts expectations. in the long-term, the united states tourist arrivals is projected to trend around 5580000.00 in 2025, according to our econometric models.,   markets,   gdp,   labour,   prices,   money,   trade,   government,   business,   consumer,   housing,   taxes,   energy,   health,   climate.

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77+ us travel & tourism statistics (2023).

A huge country with 50 states, the U.S. is undoubtedly one of the strongest nations in the world.

It’s also a very popular destination amongst global travellers, thanks to the sheer diversity of its attractions that include manmade wonders and natural landmarks alike.

From financial metropolis to star-studded cities, there’s something for everyone!

For instance, the epic national parks found when exploring Utah and the epic coastal views and nightlife in Santa Barbara .

Did you know that 79.3 million people visit the U.S. in 2019 alone?

The direct domestic and international traveller spending in 2019 totaled to roughly $1.1 trillion.

Yes, travel and tourism plays a key role in the country’s economy.

Below, we’ve summed up some of the most important statistics about U.S. tourism, including the number of outbound travellers, its most popular destinations, and the effects of the recent Covid-19 pandemic .

Let’s dive in!

Sources : Attached with each stat is the source article or data. For a full list of all the sources used, head to the bottom of the post.

Travellerspoint

How many people visit the US each year?

There were around 79.3 million international visitations to the U.S. in 2019.

How big is the tourism industry in the US?

The direct domestic and international traveller spending in 2019 was $1.1 trillion, which resulted in $2.6 trillion of economic output.

Which country visits USA the most?

The country that visits the USA the most is Canada , with 20.7 million trips recorded in 2019 alone. This is followed by Mexico with 18.1 million trips.

How much money do US tourists spend abroad each year?

The average U.S. tourist spends $6,080 abroad.

US Travel & Tourism Key Statistics

• The average overseas traveller spent $3,700 during their visit to the U.S. 
• The 2022 National Travel and Tourism Strategy aims to welcome 90 million international visitors annually by 2027.
• The most popular travel destination for U.S. resident travellers in 2019 is Mexico, with 39.3 million visitors.
• The travel and tourism industry was the largest services export in 2019, producing a trade surplus of $53.4 billion in.
• In 2019, there were 9.5 million jobs in the American travel and tourism industry.
• 1 in every 20 jobs in the U.S. was either directly or indirectly supported by travel and tourism. 
• With 5.42 million foreign visitors in 2020, New York is the most popular city destination in the U.S.
• In 2021, the U.S. hotel and motel market size was valued at $171.1 billion.
• A third of the 9 million direct travel jobs were lost when the pandemic hit in 2020.
• In 2020, the number of outbound tourists from the United States fell to 33.5 million, only one third of the 2019 figure.

International inbound tourism in the US

1. there were around 79.3 million international visitations to the u.s. in 2019..

[U.S. Travel]

2. 20.7 million of those were made by Canadian residents.

Canada had the largest share of global visitations to the U.S.

The closest US state to Canada is Alaska, and there lots of interesting things to do there !

3. The second largest share of global visitations to the U.S. in 2019 was from Mexico.

This was followed by the UK (4.8 million) , Japan (3.8 million), and China (2.8 million).

4. Excluding Canada and Mexico, the U.S. received 40 million overseas visitors in 2019.

5. the average overseas traveller spent $3,700 during their visit to the u.s. , 6. each overseas traveller stayed an average of 17 nights., 7. however, international arrivals in the u.s. declined to 29 million in 2021. this is a 36% decrease from 2019., 8. the 2022 national travel and tourism strategy aims to welcome 90 million international visitors annually by 2027..

[U.S. Commerce]

9. There were approximately 5.4 million arrivals to the U.S. by overseas business travellers in 2019.

Us outbound travel statistics, 10. there were 99.74 million outbound tourists from the united states in 2019..

11. The most popular destination for U.S. resident travellers in 2019 is Mexico, with 39.3 million visitors.

We can see that a huge proportion of U.S. residents who travel internationally prefer to visit nearby countries like Mexico, with 39.3 million visitors in 2019 .

12. This is followed by Canada (15 million), the UK (3.9 million), Italy (3.2 million), and France (3.1 million).

France is the fifth most popular destinations for US residents, with 3.1 million trips made in 2019 .

13. Barbados received six times the number of U.S. visitors in 2019 than it did in 2014.

14. over the same five year period, the number of american tourists travelling to iceland and morocco rose threefold..

In comparison, 177 thousand Americans travelled to Peru in 2021.

15. As of July 2022, a survey reported that 36% of Americans plan to travel over the next three months.

16. in 2019, 9.4 million trips were taken to the caribbean from the united states..

[TourismAnalytics]

17. 19 million trips were made in 2019 from the U.S. to Europe . This decreased by 86.4% in 2020.

There were a total of 19 million European trips made by Americans from the U.S. in 2019, while only 2.58 million such trips were taken in 2020.

18. The total trips taken to Mexico by air fell from 10.2 million trips in 2019 to 5 million trips in 2020.

19. 63% of adults in the united states have taken a staycation, while 37% have not..

Staycation refers to a holiday spent in one’s home country or city, often involving visits to local attractions.

According to Thrillist, Moab is one of the top staycation destinations in 2023. Surrounded by scenic landscapes and national parks, the best things to do in Moab are centered around its nature.

American travel & tourism economy

20. the travel and tourism industry was the largest services export in 2019, producing a trade surplus of $53.4 billion in..

It’s an extremely important industry with a huge role in lowering the country’s overall trade deficit.

21. Without the tourism industry, the U.S. trade deficit would be 9.3% higher at $630 billion, instead of $576 billion.

22. in 2025, international travel spending in the u.s. is predicted to reach $198 billion., 23. overall, domestic and international travellers spent over $680 billion in 2020., 24. this number comprises of $642.2 billion by domestic travellers and $38.1 billion by international travellers., 25. the direct domestic and international traveller spending in 2019 was $1.1 trillion, which resulted in $2.6 trillion of economic output., 26. the total domestic and international expenditure on business tourism in the united sates was $354 billion in 2019 alone..

The G20 member country with the highest business travel spending in 2019 was the U.S.

Jobs in American travel & tourism industry

27. in 2019, there were 9.5 million jobs in the american travel and tourism industry., 28. 1 in every 20 jobs in the u.s. was either directly or indirectly supported by travel and tourism. .

Jobs varied in different fields, including food services, arts, entertainment, and transportation.

29. In 2022, 5.1 million people are employed in the U.S. tourism industry.

[IBIS World]

30. In terms of employment growth, the number of employees in the travel industry has decreased by 2.9% on average between 2017 and 2022.

This decline is mainly due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

31. Tourism businesses in the United States have an average of 10.4 employees.

32. in terms of employment, travel was within the top 10 industries in 49 states and d.c..

This became only in 25 states in 2021.

33. The American glamping industry was worth $463.7 million in 2021, or 28.9% higher than 2020.

[Grand Review Research]

A subsector in the US travel and tourism industry that is on the rise is the glamping industry, which had a market share of $463.7 million in 2021 .

Popular travel destinations in the US

34. with 5.42 million foreign visitors in 2020, new york is the most popular city destination in the u.s., 35. new york is the city with the fourth most cultural attractions worldwide, with 2,119 attractions open to the public..

The city with the highest number of cultural attractions is Tokyo.

36. After New York, the most popular city destinations in the U.S. are Miami, Orlando, San Francisco, and Las Vegas.

As the fourth most popular city destination in the US, there are surely many things to do in San Francisco .

Likewise, there are also lots of things to do in Las Vegas that would cater to different types of travellers.

Read more: Las Vegas Travel & Tourism Statistics

37. The cheapest city in the U.S. for backpacking is New Orleans, with an average cost of $94.7 dollars per day.

New Orleans is reportedly the most affordable city destination for backpacking in the country.

This includes a dorm bed in a hostel, three budget meals, two rides on public transportation, one paid visit to a cultural attraction, and a small entertainment fund.

38. The second cheapest U.S. city for backpacking is Miami Beach ($97.9 per day).

And surprisingly, LA is the fourth cheapest city for backpacking in the US . There are quite a lot of things to do in Los Angeles that are free or affordable.

US travel & tourism activities

39. the most popular cultural activity for travellers in the u.s is visiting history or art museums (65% of respondents)..

[CondorFerries]

40. For overseas visitors to the U.S., shopping is the most popular activity (54%), followed by visiting historical or cultural sights (49%) and dining in restaurants (49%).

Shopping is one of the things you must do when in Seattle , as it's full of independent shops and major department stores alike.

41. 33% of visitors will usually book a beauty and spa session during their stay in the U.S.

42. 15% of people who visit the united states will stay at a mindfulness or meditation retreat., 43. in 2020, magic kingdom (walt disney world) had 7 million visitors, making it the world’s most visited amusement park. .

It received 20.96 million visitors in 2019, much higher consider the pre-pandemic circumstances. This was also the highest number of visitors compared to other amusement parks worldwide.

44. Disney’s Animal Kindgom recorded 4.17 million visitors in 2020. It’s the fifth most visited amusement park in the world.

45. the most visited waterpark worldwide is the typhoon lagoon at disney world, in orlando, fl. it welcomed 2.25 visitors in 2019., 46. as of march 2020, 51% of travellers in the u.s. believed there were not enough sustainable travel options available., sports impact on us travel industry, 47. the total size of the north american sports market (united states, canada and mexico) was $71.1 billion in 2018., 48. in 2018, over 150 million people attended professional events for the five major sports leagues..

The five major sports leagues include MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA, and MLS.

49. With 190 million domestic trips, sports travel constituted 8% of the domestic travel market in 2018.

50. travellers attending or participating in a sports event spent an aggregate of $41 billion..

51. In 2019, 37% of international travellers in the U.S. said they were interested in an NBA, NFL or MLB experience. 

This was an increase from 24% in 2018, which indicates a growing demand from international travellers to attend American sporting events.

US hotels statistics

52. in 2021, the u.s. hotel and motel market size was valued at $171.1 billion..

This has increased from the total of $127 billion in 2020 , and is expected to rise to $258.13 billion in 2022.

53. The U.S. hotel occupancy rate in 2021 is 57.6%, an increase from just 44% in 2020.

54. There were 33.9 million adults using Airbnb in the United States in 2017. This is expected to reach 45.6 million in 2022.

In 2017, 33.9 million adults used Airbnb in the United States. 

55. As of January 2022, an average hotel room in Miami cost $304, the highest out of all other American cities.

The average rate for a hotel room in New York was $235, which is the second most expensive in the country.

56. The revenue per available room (RevPAR) of the American hotel industry was $72 in 2021, compared to $45.48 in 2020.

The revenue per available room is calculated from the average daily rate (ADR) and the occupancy rate.

57. The leading hotel company in the Americas is Wyndham Hotel Group, with approximately 7,000 properties there. 

The second and third place fall to Choice Hotels International and Marriott International respectively.

58. In terms of number of guestrooms, Marriott International takes the title with 985,756 guestrooms in the Americas alone.

This is followed by Hilton Worldwide with a total of 757,431 rooms.

59. 3 in 4 hotels in the US allow pets.

Approximately 75% of all hotels in the United States allow pets , which is a huge encouragement for people who want to travel with their pets.

US tourism booking

60. 48% of all experience bookings are made after travellers arrive at their destination..

[TrekkSoft]

61. In 2019, “near me” searches on Google Maps grew 150% from the previous year.

62. 51% of us travellers spend less than a week researching once they decide to go on a trip..

[Facebook IQ]

Just over half of travellers from the U.S. spend less than one week to research and plan their trip .

63. The most bookings are made at 10am CET, while 6am CET is the time of the day with the least amount of bookings made.

The highest number of online bookings for US travellers are made at 10am CET.

Why Americans travel

64. 55% of gen z travel to expand their knowledge and experience, while 40% travel to avoid stress and relax., 65. 37% of millennial and gen z travellers are most willing to splurge on food and drink experiences..

Taking food tours is one of the best things to do in Portland , as it's a true haven for foodies.

In fact, 37% of millennial and Gen Z who travels are willing to spend more on culinary experiences.

66. They are least willing to splurge on accommodation and airfare upgrades.

67. 66% of solo travellers travel alone because they want to see the world without having to wait for others..

[SoloTravelerWorld]

In the US, 66% of solo travellers say that they like to travel alone because of the ability to explore without waiting for other people.

68. 48% of solo travellers like the feeling of freedom and independence.

69. other popular reasons for solo travelling include wanting to meet new people, for personal growth, and having different interests than their friends., 70. in 2019, u.s. travellers took 464 million domestic business trips., 71. 28% of family travellers travel for play vacation, while 27% are for a relaxing trip. 13% say that their trips are a holiday to visit family or friends, and 11% are for a sightseeing vacation..

[ShortTermRentalz]

Family vacation is one of the major reasons for travelling in the U.S. In fact, 28% of family travellers travel for play vacation.

Covid-19 pandemic impact on US travel & tourism

72. from february to april 2020, 8.2 million jobs were lost in the leisure and hospitality industry..

This accounted for 37% of the total decrease in nonfarm employment during this period.

73. A third of the 9 million direct travel jobs were lost when the pandemic hit in 2020.

74. In 2021, 2.3 million jobs generated by travel were still lost, which means it was back to only 75% of pre-pandemic levels.

75. international arrivals rose back up in 2021, rising to 22.1 million from just 19.2 million in 2020..

This was a huge effect of the global vaccination programs and lifting of international and domestic travel restrictions.

76. In 2020, the number of outbound tourists from the United States fell to 33.5 million, only one third of the 2019 figure.

77. in 2021, that figure rose to 49.1 million., 78. travel exports decreased dramatically by almost 65% from 2019 to 2020., 79. in terms of how many personal trips baby boomers are planning to take within the next year, 34% answer 4 or more..

34% of baby boomers in America wanted to take 4 or more personal domestic trips in the next year.

As a global finance and culture center, it’s only natural that tourism in the United States will continue to grow, especially as we transition into a post-pandemic era.

Hopefully, this post has been comprehensive enough to help you understand more about travel and tourism in the U.S.A.

Did we miss any interesting aspect?

Drop us a comment below!

And check out these other insightful statistics…

• Airbnb Statistics
• Booking.com Statistics
• Female Travel Statistics
• U.S. Commerce
• U.S. Travel
• Facebook IQ
• ShortTermRentalz
• SoloTravelerWorld
• TourismAnalytics
• CondorFerries

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5 million people can't be wrong

Why Nobody Lives In America's 9 Emptiest States

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• Many of the emptiest states in the US with the lowest populations lack job opportunities and urban development, leading to lower resident numbers.
• Residents face challenges like limited expansion, high living costs, and harsh weather conditions in these remote states.
• Industries like agriculture and mining, along with sparse urban areas, contribute to a low population and limited growth in these states.

For many Americans, the country seems like it's a lot smaller than it actually is. Some places, like the most populated state in the US , feel like everything's a lot closer because of all the people nearby. However, what about the loneliest states in the US? Why does no one occupy the emptiest states in the country?

The truth is that many of these states just aren't the most interesting or engaging to live in. They may have great, sweeping vistas and panoramic photo opportunities, but if a person lives there, they might run out of things to do rather quickly. Some of these states even have high costs of living and small towns separated by scores of miles, but these are just a couple of reasons why the least populated states are indeed the least populated.

Each of the emptiest states in the US has its own challenges for residents to overcome, and here we dive into what they are for those who are considering moving there.

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Population: 1.4 Million

Maine is a beautiful state with plenty of vacation-worthy beach towns, scenic trails, and even the largest waterfall in New England . While these are major draws for tourists, it seems the state's natural owners and inviting towns aren't quite enough to entice populations of people to move in.

Maine is one of the emptiest states in the United States, where its vast rural landscape and limited urban development constrain population growth. Industries like fishing and agriculture, crucial to the state's economy, do not require large workforces, a factor that also maintains the state's low population density.

Population: 1.13 Million

Despite having some of the most inviting towns in the Rockies , this state is a challenge to live in. Montana's sprawling, rugged terrain and a strong reliance on industries like agriculture and mining contribute to its low population.

The state's expansive nature means fewer people per square mile, preserving its wild and scenic beauty.

If moving to Montana, the lack of nearby urban areas may be a concern. Consider bulk shopping and maintaining a well-stocked pantry.

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7 Rhode Island

Population: 1.10 million.

Rhode Island, while densely populated in urban areas, remains one of the emptiest US states due to its small total area. Rhode Island does have its fair share of adorable beach towns that are popular in summer , but there aren't as many people living there as you might expect for such a beautiful state.

High living costs and limited expansion opportunities outside city centers also curb population growth.

Want To Visit The Most Remote Place In America?

St. Mathews, nestled in the heart of the Bering Sea, is the loneliest place you can visit in the US.

Population: 1.03 Million

Delaware has plenty of awesome stuff to do for tourists , but it seems to fail to keep hold of and attract new residents since it's also one of the emptiest states in the country.

Despite having favorable business tax laws, it still has sparsely populated rural areas due to limited job opportunities outside of corporate sectors in urban centers.

5 South Dakota

Population: 919,000.

There are a lot of things for residents of South Dakota to enjoy as far as nature goes, but it can be too much of a good thing. South Dakota's population remains low due to its vast rural areas and reliance on agriculture, which does not support high population densities.

The state's harsh winters also deter many from settling here.

4 North Dakota

Population: 783,000.

Another one of the emptiest states in America, North Dakota shares a lot of similarities with South Dakota.

North Dakota has a low population largely due to its remote location and significant reliance on oil extraction and agriculture, industries that require fewer human resources for operations.

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Population: 733,000

Alaska is a legendary place for adventure tourism, despite being one of the emptiest states in the US. There are more than enough extreme hikes in Alaska to keep outdoor enthusiasts happy, but even so, residents remain sparse.

Alaska's challenging geographical terrain and extremely cold climatic conditions contribute to its low population density. The sheer distance between one town and another also doesn't help since it makes travel and commuting much more difficult for people who live in the state. Moreover, some towns can't even be reached by road! The high cost of living and seasonal job opportunities further limit permanent residency.

Population: 647,000

Vermont is one of the US states that doesn't get a lot of love, but that's partially because of how low its population is, making it one of the emptiest states in the US.

Vermont's population is low due to its rural character and focus on preserving natural landscapes, which limits large-scale industrial development. The state's colder climate and higher living costs also contribute to its diminished populace.

Population: 584,000

Wyoming shows up as one of the emptiest states in America simply because of how sparse its population is spread out over such a huge geographic area. Wyoming's expansive natural reserves and mineral resources contribute to its sparse population.

Plus, the state's economy, focused on mining and tourism, does not attract a high residential density. There are a lot of companies headquartered here, but they usually operate (and hire) outside of the state, and many are not even owned by locals!

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FACT SHEET: United States Response to the Clade I Mpox Outbreak in Several African Countries

On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern about the upsurge of mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a growing number of countries in Africa. This announcement followed the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s (Africa CDC) declaration of a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security on August 13. The significant increase of clade I mpox cases, in both endemic countries (those that have previously had mpox outbreaks) and non-endemic countries (those that have historically not reported mpox outbreaks), threatens the health security of the region, as well as countries outside Africa. In addition, clade I mpox has a newer sub-clade referred to as clade Ib. Both clade Ia and clade Ib are circulating in DRC and have been detected in neighboring countries and in Sweden and Thailand (one case each associated with travel to Africa with known clade I cases).

In 2022, the world experienced a global outbreak of clade IIb mpox, which led to more than 95,000 cases across 115 non-endemic countries and continues to occur in the United States. The Biden-Harris Administration responded by ensuring the JYNNEOS mpox vaccine was available to at-risk populations in the U.S.

In February, as the clade I mpox outbreak grew in DRC, the Biden-Harris Administration established an incident response structure across federal departments and agencies to ensure a coordinated response and to take a proactive approach to U.S. domestic preparedness for potential clade I mpox cases. Clade I mpox causes a higher number of severe infections and has a higher mortality rate than clade IIb mpox. Because evidence for clade I mpox clinical outcomes is based primarily on data from endemic countries without widespread supportive care, particularly DRC, we do not yet know how clade I mpox would impact Americans; we do expect it would cause lower morbidity and mortality in the United States.

UNITED STATES PREPAREDNESS FOR CLADE I MPOX

The Biden-Harris Administration has been closely monitoring the spread of mpox, specifically clade I mpox, and has been working since December 2023 to prepare domestically. The risk to most Americans from clade I mpox circulating in Central and Eastern Africa and the travel associated cases outside of Africa is very low, and there are no known cases in the United States at this time. The United States is well prepared to rapidly detect, contain, and manage clade I cases should they occur domestically.

The United States continues to increase our capacity to detect cases of clade I and clade IIb mpox through existing surveillance systems, including wastewater testing, and through expanding the robust diagnostic testing capacity built during the ongoing clade IIb outbreak to ensure coverage for clade I. The ability to expedite such diagnostic testing—in particular for those with recent travel to DRC or neighboring countries—also supports rapid detection. In addition to reaffirming the importance of mpox vaccination for those who are eligible , we are working to prevent the spread of both clades of mpox by providing and disseminating recommendations for clinicians, health departments, diagnostic laboratories, and the public.

From August 2022 to August 2024, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), distributed more than one million vials of the JYNNEOS vaccine across the United States to mitigate the spread and severity of the clade II mpox outbreak. In addition to the preventive vaccine, partners across the U.S. government are working to better understand the effectiveness of existing treatments for mpox and have treatment options available in the event that clade I mpox is reported in the United States. The United States will continue to provide information to the public on transmission, prevention, and treatment of mpox. Those who have already had clade IIb mpox or who are fully vaccinated against it are expected to be protected against clade I mpox.

CDC has issued an updated Health Alert Network advisory for clinicians and public health departments and partners, as well as an updated Travel Health Notice , recommending travelers to DRC and neighboring countries to practice enhanced precautions. Through the State Department, our embassies are working to keep U.S. citizens abroad informed of these updates. At this time, CDC and WHO do not discourage travel to DRC or elsewhere due to the mpox outbreaks.

UNITED STATES SUPPORT TO THE GLOBAL MPOX OUTBREAK

The U.S. government has been closely monitoring the spread of clade I mpox in DRC and the risk to neighboring countries since 2023, and we have been working closely with the affected country governments and regional and global health partners to reduce the impact of this outbreak and safeguard public health. The U.S. government support for the mpox response builds on our longstanding partnerships in global health security and development with DRC and throughout Africa, which have helped to combat infectious diseases, such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria for more than 20 years. In fiscal year 2023, the United States allocated more than $2.65 billion in bilateral health funding to countries in Central and Eastern Africa and is the largest global health donor.

Since March 2024, USAID and CDC together have provided an additional $20 million to support clade I mpox response efforts in Central and Eastern Africa, and on August 20, USAID announced up to an additional $35 million in emergency health assistance to bolster response efforts, pending Congressional Notification, bringing the proposed total U.S. government financial support for DRC and other affected countries in the region to more than $55 million.

In addition to direct financial support, the United States government is surging staff to support the mpox response. More than 200 staff including epidemiologists, laboratorians, and risk communication experts have been deployed to support response efforts in the United States and Africa. United States government support has focused on a range of critical public health interventions aimed at limiting transmission and reducing mpox morbidity and mortality. These interventions include surveillance with deployment of additional local field epidemiologists, risk communication and community engagement, laboratory supplies and diagnostics, infection prevention and control, clinical services, and vaccine planning.

In addition to scaling up surveillance, testing, and treatment of cases, vaccination will be a critical element of the response to this outbreak. Successful vaccination campaigns will require health workers to provide vaccinations, financial support to roll out vaccine and vaccination supplies, and regulatory approval for use of vaccines in affected countries. To support this effort, USAID is donating 50,000 doses of the FDA-approved JYNNEOS vaccine to DRC, as well as financial support for rollout of the vaccine doses. The United States is working with other countries that have vaccine stockpiles, WHO, and international partners to encourage additional donations that support vaccine efforts and address challenges with vaccine delivery. This includes evaluating vaccine demand, supporting country engagement on regulatory pathways, planning vaccine implementation, and providing technical assistance to deliver the vaccines.

The United States is working with bilateral, multilateral, and private sector partners to develop and implement a coordinated response – including encouraging collaboration between WHO and Africa CDC on their response plans. The United States, through the State Department, will continue working through the U.S.-Africa CDC Joint Action Plan adopted in November 2023 to increase African Union Member States’ capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to health emergencies.

The Biden-Harris Administration will continue its whole-of-government response to this growing outbreak, building on lessons learned from the 2022 mpox response. To learn more about mpox, signs and symptoms, treatments, and prevention, please visit the CDC website here .