Mexico Tops U.S. Travel; UK Leads 2023 Picks

Mexico emerged as the preferred travel destination for Americans as the COVID-19 pandemic waned, according to the latest Outbound Survey of International Travelers (SIAT) released by the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO). The report indicates that a significant 33.5 million Americans chose Mexico for their travels in 2022, marking a noteworthy 17% increase from the previous year.

This not only solidifies Mexico as the top destination for Americans in 2022 but also reflects a growing trend in travel to our southern neighbor. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom claimed the top spot for overseas travel, attracting 3.7 million American tourists. Canada also experienced a surge in American visitors, with an impressive 9.1 million arrivals, a staggering 334% rise compared to 2021. In total, 80.7 million Americans ventured abroad in 2022, signifying a 64% increase from the previous year and reaching 81% of pre-pandemic travel levels in 2019.

The report sheds light on various travel patterns, including a notable increase in American visitation to overseas countries, reaching 109% growth from 2021 and 85% of 2019 levels. Top states of residence for U.S. travelers included California, New York, Florida, Texas, and New Jersey. The report also highlighted the affluent nature of American travelers in 2022, with an average household income of $148,000 and an average vacation stay of 17.9 nights. The majority, 67%, traveled for leisure, while 44% visited friends or relatives. Business travel, however, lagged behind, comprising only 9% of international trips and showing signs of a slower recovery post-pandemic. As of the second quarter of 2023, the travel industry’s recovery continued, with a notable 8.9% increase in U.S. outbound air travelers to overseas countries compared to the same period in 2019. The United Kingdom remained a top destination, drawing 1.6 million Americans in the second quarter of 2023, representing a 25% increase from 2019.