Preliminary data released Friday by the National Travel and Tourism Office shows that inbound travel to the United States from overseas markets fell 4.3% in September compared to the same month last year. The figure represents 2.7 million arrivals, continuing a downward trend that has persisted since the summer.
The September drop follows a nearly 12% year-over-year decline in August. Earlier figures for June and July were also weak, despite the presence of visitors attending the World Cup. For the first nine months of 2026, total overseas arrivals are down 5.7% from the same period in 2025.
Western Europe Drives the Decline
Travelers from Western Europe accounted for nearly three-quarters of the monthly decline. France saw the steepest drop, with arrivals falling 15%. The Netherlands recorded a 13% decrease, while Ireland was down 12%. Germany and Italy each experienced a 10% reduction in visitors.
These losses were not offset by gains in other regions. Arrivals from China rose nearly 15%, and Taiwan saw an increase of almost 13%. India recorded a modest 2% gain. However, a 25% drop in visitors from South Korea wiped out these Asian gains, leaving the total for the Asia region down 0.3%.
Canadian Trips and Industry Targets
The data excludes travel from Mexico and Canada. Canadian return trips from the United States rose 6.8% in September, marking a sixth consecutive month of growth from a low base. Despite this increase, car trips from Canada remain down 31% and air trips nearly 19% compared to September 2024.
The latest figures arrive as the U.S. Travel Association and approximately a dozen travel executives advocate for a target of more than 100 million international visitors by 2030. This goal was pitched to President Donald Trump last month.
Source: Skift
