International tourism is more than just crowded landmarks and fully booked hotels—it is a critical economic engine for the United States. When overseas travelers visit, they inject billions of dollars of foreign spending into local economies, supporting everything from high-end retail and fine dining to regional airlines and hospitality. Economically, this inbound travel functions as a massive U.S. export, creating millions of jobs and fueling local tax revenues in both major metros and gateway communities.
In 2024, the World Economic Forum suggested that international travel and tourism was on track to eclipse pre-pandemic levels, and popular destinations in the Middle East had already fully regained their tourism export levels. However, the recovery in the U.S. has been uneven. While travel and tourism-related exports have returned to roughly their pre-pandemic value, much of that growth reflects inflation rather than a full recovery in underlying economic activity. Both overseas arrivals and inflation-adjusted tourism exports remain below 2019 levels, suggesting the anticipated post-COVID tourism boom has subsided and settled into a milder tourism landscape.
Despite this broader national lag, tens of millions of foreign tourists continue to visit the U.S. each year—and they are highly selective about where they spend their time and money. To understand which destinations are successfully capturing today’s international travelers, Luxury Link—an online booking platform specializing in luxury hotels, resorts, and travel—analyzed the latest data from the U.S. Department of Commerce to identify the U.S. cities and states attracting the most international tourism.
The Economic Impact of International Travel to the U.S.
While international tourists have returned to the U.S. since COVID, their economic impact is well below pre-pandemic levels
At first glance, the U.S. tourism economy appears to have largely recovered from the pandemic. Total travel and tourism-related exports reached $20.9 billion in May 2026, surpassing the $20.3 billion recorded in May 2019 before COVID-19 disrupted global travel. Measured in current dollars, foreign visitor spending has returned to roughly its pre-pandemic level.
After adjusting for inflation, however, the recovery looks far less complete. Measured in 2026 dollars, the $20.3 billion in travel and tourism-related exports generated in May 2019 would be worth $26.6 billion today. By comparison, travel exports generated in May 2026 remain 21% below that inflation-adjusted pre-pandemic level. In other words, while today’s tourism economy has returned to roughly the same nominal dollar value as it had before the pandemic, the purchasing power of those exports—and their overall economic impact—remains substantially lower than it was in 2019. The comparison illustrates how inflation can make the industry’s recovery appear stronger in current dollars than it has been in real economic terms.
What Attracts International Visitors to the U.S.?
Overseas tourists arrive for vacation or to visit family, most often filling their itineraries with shopping, sightseeing, and national park visits
The reasons international visitors come to the United States shape how they contribute to the tourism economy. Leisure travel overwhelmingly drives international arrivals to the United States. More than 23.6 million international visitors travel to the U.S. for a vacation or holiday each year, making it by far the most common primary purpose of a trip. Visiting friends or relatives ranks second at 12.1 million visitors, while business travel accounts for 4.4 million. Travel for conventions and conferences (2.9 million), education (1.6 million), health treatment (274,000), and religious purposes (206,000) represents a much smaller share of international arrivals.
That spending extends across a wide range of attractions and experiences once visitors arrive. Shopping is the most popular activity, with 28.4 million international travelers shopping during their visit, followed closely by sightseeing at 26.7 million. Nature-based tourism also plays a significant role, with 11.6 million exploring national parks. Meanwhile, 9.7 million visit art galleries and museums, and 9.5 million venture into small towns and rural areas. Amusement parks (9.4 million), historical sites (8.9 million), and fine dining (8.2 million) also attract millions of international visitors each year, highlighting the broad appeal of the country’s retail, cultural, recreational, and natural attractions.
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Where Do International Tourists Visit in the U.S.?
While coastal giants like Florida, New York, and California draw the highest total volume, Hawaii and Nevada by far host the most international tourists per capita
International tourism remains heavily concentrated in a handful of gateway states, particularly along the East and West coasts. Florida welcomes the most overseas visitors with 9.3 million, narrowly ahead of New York at 9.1 million, while California ranks third with 6.6 million. Together, those three states attract more than 25 million overseas visitors, outpacing the rest of the country combined. They are followed by Nevada (2.3 million), Texas (1.9 million), Hawaii (1.8 million), Massachusetts (1.4 million), and Illinois (1.3 million), reflecting the continued appeal of major international gateways, iconic attractions, and business hubs.
Adjusting for population, however, reveals a different picture. Hawaii welcomes the equivalent of 1,243 overseas visitors per 1,000 residents, the highest concentration in the nation and nearly twice that of second-place Nevada (718). New York (458) and Florida (417) also rank among the leaders, while smaller tourism-focused states such as Wyoming (276) and Massachusetts (199) place surprisingly high. The per-capita rankings highlight how international tourism can play an outsized role in smaller destinations, even when their total visitor counts trail those of the country’s largest states.
Below is a breakdown of the top U.S. cities visited by international travelers. The analysis was conducted by Luxury Link using data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. For additional information, refer to the methodology section below.
The Top-Visited U.S. Cities for Overseas Travelers
15. Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX
- Total overseas visitors (2025): 748,000
- Total overseas visitors per 1K residents (2025): 139
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2025): 2.2%
- Percentage change in visitors (2024–2025): -5.9%
Dallas offers a mix of arts, professional sports, shopping, and modern urban attractions. The Arts District, Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, upscale retail destinations, and a growing restaurant scene make it an increasingly popular destination for both leisure and business travelers.
14. San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA
- Total overseas visitors (2025): 758,000
- Total overseas visitors per 1K residents (2025): 230
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2025): 2.2%
- Percentage change in visitors (2024–2025): -8.7%
San Diego is known for its mild climate, beaches, and outdoor lifestyle. Visitors are drawn to Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, nearby coastal communities, and family attractions such as LEGOLAND California in neighboring Carlsbad.
13. Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX
- Total overseas visitors (2025): 802,000
- Total overseas visitors per 1K residents (2025): 108
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2025): 2.3%
- Percentage change in visitors (2024–2025): -16.1%
Houston attracts visitors with its diverse population, internationally recognized dining, and leading role in space exploration and energy. Space Center Houston, the Museum District, professional sports, and cultural festivals are among its major attractions.
12. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA
- Total overseas visitors (2025): 833,000
- Total overseas visitors per 1K residents (2025): 133
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2025): 2.4%
- Percentage change in visitors (2024–2025): -7.4%
Atlanta combines a rich civil rights history with modern entertainment and business travel. Popular attractions include the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, and a growing culinary scene.
11. Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Deerfield Beach, FL
- Total overseas visitors (2025): 905,000
- Total overseas visitors per 1K residents (2025): 458
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2025): 2.6%
- Percentage change in visitors (2024–2025): +5.1%
Fort Lauderdale is famous for its beaches, boating culture, and extensive network of canals. The metro also serves as a major cruise gateway and offers upscale shopping, waterfront dining, and easy access to South Florida’s coastal attractions.
10. Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL
- Total overseas visitors (2025): 1,276,000
- Total overseas visitors per 1K residents (2025): 178
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2025): 3.7%
- Percentage change in visitors (2024–2025): -6.9%
Chicago is known for its striking architecture, lakefront parks, and vibrant arts scene. Attractions such as Millennium Park, Navy Pier, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the city’s acclaimed dining culture make it a leading urban destination.
9. Boston-Quincy, MA
- Total overseas visitors (2025): 1,289,000
- Total overseas visitors per 1K residents (2025): 629
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2025): 3.8%
- Percentage change in visitors (2024–2025): -7.2%
Boston’s blend of colonial history, prestigious universities, and walkable neighborhoods attracts visitors from around the world. The Freedom Trail, Fenway Park, world-class museums, and renowned seafood restaurants are among its biggest draws.
8. Honolulu, HI
- Total overseas visitors (2025): 1,375,000
- Total overseas visitors per 1K residents (2025): 1,373
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2025): 4.0%
- Percentage change in visitors (2024–2025): -8.0%
Honolulu combines tropical beaches with Hawaiian culture and outdoor recreation. Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Diamond Head, and easy access to hiking and ocean activities make it a premier destination for international travelers.
7. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Total overseas visitors (2025): 1,564,000
- Total overseas visitors per 1K residents (2025): 248
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2025): 4.6%
- Percentage change in visitors (2024–2025): -11.2%
The nation’s capital attracts visitors interested in American history, politics, and culture. Free Smithsonian museums, national monuments, memorials, and government landmarks make the region one of the country’s leading educational tourism destinations.
6. Las Vegas-Paradise, NV
- Total overseas visitors (2025): 2,208,000
- Total overseas visitors per 1K residents (2025): 948
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2025): 6.4%
- Percentage change in visitors (2024–2025): -14.7%
Las Vegas is internationally recognized for its resort casinos, live entertainment, and nightlife along the Las Vegas Strip. Major conventions, sporting events, and nearby attractions such as Red Rock Canyon and Hoover Dam broaden its appeal beyond gaming.
5. San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, CA
- Total overseas visitors (2025): 2,407,000
- Total overseas visitors per 1K residents (2025): 1,531
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2025): 7.0%
- Percentage change in visitors (2024–2025): +0.1%
San Francisco draws visitors with landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and its historic cable cars. The region also serves as a gateway to Northern California’s wine country, coastal scenery, and Silicon Valley.
4. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA
- Total overseas visitors (2025): 3,686,000
- Total overseas visitors per 1K residents (2025): 376
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2025): 10.8%
- Percentage change in visitors (2024–2025): -16.8%
The Los Angeles metro offers a mix of entertainment, beaches, and cultural attractions, from the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Universal Studios Hollywood to Santa Monica Pier and Beverly Hills. Its year-round climate and global film industry continue to attract visitors from around the world.
3. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL
- Total overseas visitors (2025): 4,314,000
- Total overseas visitors per 1K residents (2025): 1,544
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2025): 12.6%
- Percentage change in visitors (2024–2025): +9.7%
Orlando is best known as the theme park capital of the world, anchored by Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort. Family-friendly attractions, entertainment districts, and nearby natural springs make it one of the country’s top leisure destinations.
2. Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, FL
- Total overseas visitors (2025): 5,119,000
- Total overseas visitors per 1K residents (2025): 1,869
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2025): 14.9%
- Percentage change in visitors (2024–2025): -0.8%
Miami combines white-sand beaches with a vibrant multicultural atmosphere shaped by Latin American and Caribbean influences. The metro is known for South Beach, Art Deco architecture, luxury resorts, nightlife, and one of the country’s busiest international cruise ports.
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1. New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ
- Total overseas visitors (2025): 8,915,000
- Total overseas visitors per 1K residents (2025): 735
- Percentage of total U.S. overseas visitors (2025): 26.0%
- Percentage change in visitors (2024–2025): -6.4%
Home to iconic landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Central Park, and the Empire State Building, the New York metro remains the nation’s premier international gateway. Visitors are also drawn by its world-renowned museums, Broadway theaters, luxury shopping, and diverse culinary scene.
Full Results
Methodology
Data on international visitation to the United States was sourced from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Association’s Survey of International Air Travelers (SIAT). For the purpose of this analysis, inbound visitors from Canada and Mexico were not included. Visitation statistics for individual locations do not sum to the national totals due to certain visitors traveling to multiple locations. Similarly, international visitors may list multiple purposes for their trip and multiple leisure activities undertaken on their trip. Per-capita visitation statistics for each location were calculated using the latest population data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. For each location, the percentage of total overseas visitors coming to the U.S. that visited the specific location was also calculated. The cities shown are major metropolitan statistical areas, and where applicable, metropolitan divisions tracked by the SIAT. For relevance, only metropolitan areas with at least 25 survey respondents reporting to travel to their locations were included.
