U.S. travel and tourism exports have reached a record high of $160 billion in 2025 and are further growing the country’s already robust economic strength. This milestone is a testament to the robustness of the travel industry that has helped drive economic recovery post-pandemic. Less and less American tourists traveling, and more and more American spending has helped. As it continues to grow, it demonstrates how travel and tourism is not only integral to U.S. cultural exchange, but also a vital driver of consistent economic growth and resulting prosperity.
Travel Spending Trends for May 2025
During May 2025, international tourists spent over $21.2 billion on travel-related activities in the United States. This marks a 1% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The spending spanned a broad range of services, including accommodations, dining, local transport, retail, and entertainment, reflecting the diverse ways in which visitors contribute to the U.S. economy.
Simultaneously, U.S. citizens spent approximately $21.7 billion on travel abroad in May 2025, leading to a travel trade deficit of $433 million for the month. Despite the surge in foreign visitors to the U.S., the growing trend of Americans traveling overseas is evident in the rising outbound spending.
May 2025 Breakdown of U.S. Travel Exports
The $21.2 billion in travel exports in May was divided into three main categories:
- Travel Spending: $11.6 billion (54% of total exports)
- Passenger Fare Receipts: $3.2 billion (15% of total exports)
- Medical, Education, and Worker Spending: $6.5 billion (30% of total exports)
While travel spending saw a steady increase year-over-year, the figures revealed mixed results across the categories. Travel receipts, which cover expenses such as lodging and dining, declined by 3% compared to May 2024. On the other hand, spending related to healthcare, education, and short-term labor grew by 8%, highlighting a growing demand for U.S. services beyond traditional leisure tourism.
Stable Passenger Fare Receipts
Passenger fare receipts, representing payments made to U.S. airlines by foreign travelers, amounted to $3.2 billion in May 2025. This shows a slight increase from the previous year, maintaining a stable 15% share of total travel export revenue. The consistent performance of passenger fare receipts emphasizes the enduring demand for international flights to and from the U.S., benefiting U.S.-based airlines.
Expansion in Medical, Education, and Worker Spending
The medical, education, and worker sectors saw the most significant growth in U.S. travel exports. In May 2025, this category reached $6.5 billion, representing an 8% year-over-year increase. This growth is driven by the rising international demand for U.S. universities, healthcare institutions, and temporary work programs, which have expanded the scope of U.S. tourism beyond traditional leisure travel to include educational and professional opportunities.
Record Year-to-Date Performance for 2025
From January to May 2025, international visitors spent a total of $160 billion on U.S. travel and tourism services, marking a 3% increase from the same period in 2024. This growth translates to approximately $702 million in foreign spending each day, underscoring the substantial and ongoing recovery of the U.S. tourism industry after the disruptions caused by the global pandemic. The strong performance signals continued growth as the U.S. remains a leading travel destination.
Tourism’s Crucial Role in the U.S. Economy
In May 2025, U.S. travel and tourism exports made up 21% of the total service exports of the country. When accounting for both goods and services, the tourism sector contributed 8% to total U.S. exports. These figures highlight the importance of tourism not only as a recreational and cultural sector but as a significant pillar in the U.S. economy, driving trade, job creation, and foreign exchange earnings.
Upcoming of the US Travel Plus Tourism Industry
Despite the robust beginning of 2025, analysts are hopeful that the U.S. travel and tourism business will maintain momentum throughout the year. Rising levels of seasonal travel, global happenings and growing consumer confidence will also likely increase spending. Still, potential clouds such as exchange-rate volatility, growing costs in the hospitality industry and changing visa policies could influence travel patterns and the growth rate of international arrivals and departures.
As millions of visitors from around the world flock to the U.S., and Americans continue to travel abroad in growing numbers, the tourism industry continues to play a critical role in the nation’s economic well-being. Travel Trade Surplus remains key indicator of international travel, link to the world economy “The surplus in travel trade continues to be a telling sign of international travel demand and health of the global economy.
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