International trips by US residents in the US - Data and Analysis (1990-2032)

In 2026, international trips by US residents are projected to grow 2.3%, reaching 220.1 million departures. Rising travel costs moderate that pace and concentrate outbound trips among higher-income and luxury travelers, since fare increases price out households with less discretionary room in their budgets. Asia-Pacific destinations draw particular interest, helped by favorable exchange rates that stretch US travelers' spending further and by growing cultural interest in the region among American consumers. Both factors lift traffic on those routes this year and support the broader growth figure. Wealthy travelers and millennials sustain much of the remaining momentum despite higher fuel costs working against them. A Deloitte survey in April 2026 found both groups among the most willing to travel internationally during the year, indicating that demand at the upper end of the market holds up even as costs climb. That willingness helps explain why outbound volumes keep expanding rather than flattening.From 2021 to 2026, US outbound international travel exhibited dramatic shifts following the COVID-19 pandemic. Travel collapsed in 2020 as strict international restrictions and public health fears caused a 73.6% contraction and decade-low departure volumes. Only partial recovery occurred in 2021, as new virus variants and consumer hesitancy inhibited a full rebound despite some relaxation of travel barriers. Momentum accelerated sharply through 2022, driven by the removal of restrictions and strong pent-up demand, resulting in a 97.3% surge in outbound trips. Nevertheless, departures remained below pre-pandemic levels, reaching only 63.0% of 2019's tally. Through 2023 and 2024, persistent consumer appetite for global travel and steady domestic economic conditions allowed further gains, expanding over inflationary and recession risks. Airline advancements such as improved fuel efficiency and growing global connectivity supported cost management and reduced friction, broadening market access. Variability in the US dollar against foreign currencies shaped purchasing power abroad, while major global events, like the Paris Olympics, temporarily boosted outbound travel.Over the five years to 2026, international travel by US residents rebounded sharply from its pandemic shock, recording compound annual growth of 22.6%. Structural drivers—rising personal incomes, ongoing aviation innovations, and strong consumer intent—underpinned this trajectory, even as geopolitical episodes and regulatory uncertainties persisted. Demand is increasingly defined by changing demographics and media-driven interest in new destinations, solidifying US outbound travel as a mainstay of the global tourism market.