During the COVID-19 lockdown, citizens of the US and those from all over the world realised the importance of travel, showing eagerness to take trips at the first chance they get.
While a high number of Americans took inbound as well as outbound trips in 2019 and in the preceding years, the figures started to see a sharp increase in 2022 and 2023, with travelers from the US indicating new preferences, VisaGuide.World reports.
The idea of being “closed on their homes” and not able to leave the country for around two years made American travelers grow fonder of international destinations, with a high percentage booking trips outside the US territory, ready to explore the world.
Due to a high number of bookings abroad, the number of outbound flights automatically started to increase, and consequently, the spending of Americans in other countries saw a record, with a 39 percent increase from the pre-pandemic spending registered in 2019.
The number of passports in circulation also marked a rise, showcasing Americans’ interest in traveling and bringing into the spotlight a new trend in their travel plans.
Americans Traveling Each Year More & More Outside the Country
While the travel trends for Americans before 2019 were somewhat consistent, they started to change gradually, with the last years seeing more travelers from the US reaching destinations outside the country.
During the pre-pandemic period, 2019 saw the highest number of Americans traveling abroad. However, in the post-pandemic period, 2023 broke a new record.
Data from the International Trade Administration show that in 2019, over 60.6 million (60,600,986) citizens of the US departed to an international destination.
However, as soon as the lockdown came into effect, the number of trips abroad fell significantly, with the US recording the lowest number of departures and arrivals in 2020 and 2021. In these two years, only 15,692,702 and 28,986,906 international departures were recorded, respectively.
Fast forward to 2022, more Americans were planning to travel outside the country, with COVID having a significant impact on their travel plans, causing Americans to recommit to taking a trip outside the country.
In 2022, travelers confidence increased drastically. Back then, around 61 per cent of Americans said that they planned on taking a trip outside the country for a period of over a week.
With the increase in travelers’ confidence, the number of US citizens’ departures to international regions increased automatically, too. Data reveal that throughout the 12 months of 2022, more than 49 million (49,663,894) Americans flew abroad.
In 2022, Europe emerged as the top outbound destination for American travelers, witnessing a staggering 15.8 million visits. The Caribbean followed closely behind with 9.2 million visitors, showcasing the enduring allure of sun-soaked destinations.
Asia, South America, and Central Asia rounded out the top five outbound continents, with them recording 2.6 million, 2.5 million, and 3.7 million American tourists in 2022, respectively.
In terms of most popular countries abroad, Japan claimed the top spot as the most searched-for location for flights by US travelers in 2022.
Regarding the year that we just left behind, data show that the number of American travelers flying abroad further increased in 2023, reaching a new high. In terms of departures from the US to international destinations, the previous year had the best results.
In 2023, over 67.1 million (67,179,554) American travelers flew to an international destination, representing a drastic increase compared to the years during which COVID restrictions were in place.
Europe Is One of the Most Popular Destinations Among American Travelers
With around 55 percent of Americans traveling to Europe in 2023, the continent has emerged as one of the most popular destinations.
In 2021, the number of Americans traveling to Europe fell drastically due to the COVID restrictions. However, as soon as the measures were lifted, a 600 percent increase was registered in 2022, making it clear that the continent is among the most preferred.
The positive trend continued in 2023, too, with Europe welcoming millions of travelers from the US.
The top European destinations for American travelers in 2023 were as follows:
- London, England
- Paris, France
- Dublin, Ireland
- Rome, Italy
- Reykjavík, Iceland
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Athens, Greece
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Milan, Italy
The majority of American travelers, around 80 percent, who headed to Europe last year had trips planned for around seven days. A smaller percentage, around 11 percent planned a vacation to Europe for eight or more days.
European destinations continue to live up to all travelers’ expectations. With numerous museums, attractions, and activities that cater to different preferences, Europe is the place to be for American travelers. We expect to see increased popularity throughout 2024, too.
April of 2023 was one of the months during which a high number of US passengers chose to fly to Europe, making the latter the most sought-after destination.
Data reveal that in April 2023, 30 percent of all Americans flying abroad chose Europe as their destination. However, when comparing the numbers with April 2019, only a 13 percent increase was registered in flights of American travelers to Europe.
The purpose of Americans’ travel to Europe varies on individual preferences and the seasons of the year. American travelers reaching Europe for travel purposes during summer mainly prefer to visit cultural capitals such as Paris, Rome, and Athens, among others, immersing themselves in the rich history, art, and culinary delights these cities have to offer.
On the other hand, during colder months, a growing trend among American tourists is to seek out European destinations known for their festive charm and winter activities.
European cities like Vienna, with its enchanting Christmas markets and classical music traditions, and the picturesque Swiss Alps, offering world-class skiing, become sought-after winter gateways for Americans.
Interest in Visiting the Middle East & Other Regions Continues to Remain High, Too
In addition to Europe, the Middle East remains one of the most popular destinations among American travelers, too.
Data show that of all regions, the number of Americans flying to the Middle East in April 2023 saw the highest increase compared to April 2019, when no COVID-related restrictions were in place.
In April 2023, the number of American passengers reaching the Middle East saw a 50 per cent increase compared to April 2019.
Other regions also recorded increased numbers of flights from the US during April 2023 compared to the same month in 2019. Mexico, Africa, and South America are among the top regions that registered 30 percent and 28 percent increases in the number of arrivals from the US, respectively.
The increase in Americans’ interest in traveling abroad is also indicated by the high number of passports in circulation.
Figures reveal that the number of valid US passports in circulation in the last ten years has increased by around 43 million. In 2013, a total of 117,443,735 valid US passports were in circulation, whereas in 2023, a total of 160,668,889 passports were in circulation.
Such figures suggest that more Americans are applying for a passport to be able to travel abroad. According to the VisaGuide Passport Index, the US passport is currently ranked as the 40th most powerful passport in the world.
The US passport holders can travel visa-free to a total of 144 countries. On the other hand, they need an eVisa to enter 20 countries and need to apply for a regular visa to enter 22 countries.
Is US Inbound Tourism Declining Because Americans Are Traveling More Outside the US?
Even though the data above show an increased desire among Americans to travel to international destinations, that does not necessarily mean that inbound tourism is decreasing.
Despite the global appeal, around 61 percent of Americans expressed a preference for domestic travel in 2023, with most opting for road trips to explore the diverse landscapes within the US. A similar trend is expected to prevail through 2024, too.
Indeed, Americans are traveling abroad more than they have in the past few years, but this does not necessarily mean that domestic tourism ignites no interest in them. It is more related to the pent-up desire to travel that was created during the COVID-19 years, 2020 and 2021, namely.
Last year, Americans planned on spending over $6,000 per person on inbound travel. This surge in inbound travel enthusiasm follows the resilience demonstrated by the US travel sector in 2022, where direct spending on travel reached an impressive $1.2 trillion.
Moreover, in 2022, domestic travel emerged as a powerhouse, generating $837 billion in spending. This substantial figure highlights Americans’ eagerness to explore “their own backyard”.
Domestic business travel also recorded a remarkable recovery in 2022, generating $234 billion, a 74 percent rebound compared to the pre-pandemic levels.
In addition to the above-mentioned, data show that inbound visitors contributed significantly to the US economy, spending a total of $12.6 billion on travel and tourism-related activities in 2022. This figure marks a 105 percent increase compared to May 2021.
While data for the entire 2023 is yet to be revealed, it is believed that a higher number of Americans traveled within the country, and their spending increased too.
This Is How Much Americans Spend on Trips Outside the US
The US outbound tourism market reached a substantial value of $101,697 million in 2022, with experts predicting that Americans will spend even more on trips outside their country.
Americans spent $17 billion on trips abroad in June of last year alone. As for the first half of 2023, the US National Travel and Tourism Office revealed that Americans spent $103.8 billion between January and June 2023.
Such a number represents a significant increase compared to the same period in 2019 when Americans spent $93.4 billion on travel outside of the US.
Additionally, despite the inflation, American travelers said last year that they plan on spending around $214 billion on summer vacations. This means that an average household plans to spend around $2,800 on vacations – 39 percent more than during the pre-pandemic period.
US Millenial Citizens Are Most Likely to Take More Trips Abroad, While Gen Z Tend to Spend More Money
In a dynamic shift within the travel landscape, millennials are emerging as trailblazers, with 80 percent of them expressing their intention to go big on their next trip.
Known for their desire for exploration, US millennials are not only allocating significant budgets but are also planning to take the most trips of any generation, averaging 4.4 trips in 2022.
Their enthusiasm for travel is further evident in their accommodation choices, with a high percentage opting for hotels and vocational renting. They also seek unique and personalized experiences, with 70 percent of American millennials actively seeking out destinations and activities unknown to their families and friends.
As for American Gen Z, in a survey conducted in 2022, it was found that 72 percent of them plan to allocate more money to travel experiences.
Data suggest a growing adventurous spiral among Gen Z as they prioritize experiences over material possessions.
Moreover, it was found that American Gen Z plan on taking an average of around 29 days of travel per year, indicating an extensive and diverse range of destinations.
Travel Insurance is Key When Traveling Abroad, But How Many Americans Are Actually Purchasing It?
Travel Insurance is a type of protection that is designed to cover all or a part of the cost of medical expenses, trip cancellation, lost or stolen items, or travel delays, among others, that can incur while traveling abroad.
Travel insurance can be purchased online with different travel insurance companies. However, when deciding how much coverage you need, you have to think activities you will be doing, the period of stay, and what you are taking with you so you can choose the best policy for your needs.
While it is highly recommended that everyone purchases travel insurance when traveling abroad, data show that not all American travelers do so, but an increasing trend has been seen in the last few years.
In 2020, around 58 percent of American travelers said that they were more likely to purchase travel health insurance for their trip. This percentage increased to more than 60 percent in 2021 and to over 80 percent in 2022.
The increased interest in purchasing travel insurance when traveling abroad is further supported by the amount spent on insurance policies, with studies revealing that spending for travel protection coverage by Americans surpasses $4 billion.
Data show that in 2023, the average amount spent on travel insurance by American travelers for summer trips increased compared to 2022 and 2021.
Last year, Americans spent 7 percent and 18 percent more on travel insurance for summer trips in comparison to 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The average spent on travel insurance per trip by American travelers was around $564 in 2023. On the other hand, in 2022, it was $528, and in 2021, it was $451.
In 2024, the average amount spent on travel insurance by American travelers is expected to be even higher, as travel trends have shown that a high percentage have already planned a trip outside the country, and some others plan on doing so soon.