In August 2024, international visitors spent $21.5 billion on U.S. travel and tourism-related activities, an 11% increase compared to the same month in 2023.
Increased travel exports led to a trade surplus of $865 million for the month, as American travelers spent $20.6 billion overseas.
International visitors have spent more than $168.6 billion on U.S. travel and tourism-related products and services year-to-date (January to August 2024), an increase of 16% compared to 2023 . International visitors have injected an average of $694 million per day into the U.S. economy year-to-date.
U.S. travel and tourism exports accounted for 23.3% of U.S. services exports in August 2024 and similarly accounted for 7.9% of total U.S. exports, goods, and services.
travel spending
Purchases of travel and tourism-related goods and services by international travelers to the United States totaled $12 billion in August 2024 ($10.4 billion in August 2023). This was an increase of 16% compared to the previous year.
These goods and services include food, lodging, recreation, gifts, entertainment, transportation within the United States, and other items incidental to international travel.
Travel revenues accounted for 56% of total U.S. travel and tourism exports in August 2024.
Passenger fare receipt
U.S. airlines received a total of $3.3 billion in fares from international visitors in August 2024 (compared to $3.1 billion a year ago), an increase of 7% compared to August 2023. These receipts represent expenditures by foreign residents on international flights offered by US airlines.
Passenger fare revenue accounted for 15% of total U.S. travel and tourism exports in August.
Medical/Education/Short-term worker spending
All spending by border workers, seasonal workers, and other short-term workers in the United States, as well as spending on education and health-related tourism, totaled $6.1 billion in August 2024 (2023-8 $5.8 billion per month). compared to last year.
Medical tourism, education, and temporary worker spending accounted for 29% of total U.S. travel and tourism exports in August 2024.
