In Brief: International arrivals to the United States fell 1.4% year over year to 6.75 million in August 2026, as strong growth from Mexico and Canada was offset by an 11.8% decline in overseas visitors. Meanwhile, U.S. citizens made 10.04 million international departures, with Mexico remaining the leading destination and Europe the second-largest outbound market.
-
U.S. Travel Trade Surplus Reaches $413 Million as Overseas Spending Rises – Image Credit Unsplash
International travel to and from the United States moved in different directions in August 2026. While international arrivals declined modestly from the previous year, outbound travel by U.S. citizens increased slightly, according to recently released data from the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO).
The United States welcomed 6,754,679 non-U.S. resident international visitors during the month, a 1.4% decrease from August 2025. The decline was driven primarily by a sharp reduction in visitors from overseas markets, even as arrivals from Mexico and Canada grew strongly.
Meanwhile, U.S. citizens made 10,043,394 international departures in August, slightly exceeding the total recorded a year earlier.
Arrivals from Mexico and Canada continue to grow
Mexico remained the United States’ largest source of international visitors, generating 1,959,158 arrivals in August. That was a 9.9% increase from August 2025.
Canada ranked second with 1,716,253 visitors, an 8.8% year-over-year increase.
Together, the two neighboring countries accounted for more than half of all international arrivals during the month. Their growth, however, was not sufficient to offset an 11.8% decline in overseas visitor volume, which fell to 3,079,268.
The five largest international source markets were:
-
Mexico — 1,959,158 arrivals
-
Canada — 1,716,253
-
United Kingdom — 376,681
-
Japan — 226,912
-
China — 183,120
Together, these markets accounted for 66.1% of all international arrivals to the United States in August.
United Kingdom leads overseas tourism arrivals
Among overseas markets, the United Kingdom generated the most tourism arrivals, with 334,157 visitors. Japan followed with 192,030.
The leading overseas tourism markets were:
European countries occupied four of the five leading positions, highlighting the region’s continued importance to the U.S. leisure travel market despite the overall decline in overseas arrivals.
India is the largest source of overseas business travelers
India led overseas business arrivals in August, sending 38,429 visitors to the United States. The United Kingdom ranked a close second with 35,096 arrivals.
The five leading overseas business markets were:
-
India — 38,429 arrivals
-
United Kingdom — 35,096
-
Japan — 28,755
-
Germany — 20,090
-
South Korea — 17,183
China dominates international student arrivals
The beginning of the academic year made August an important month for international student travel. China was by far the largest overseas source market, accounting for 75,752 student arrivals—nearly three times India’s total, the second-largest market.
The leading overseas student markets were:
U.S. outbound travel edges higher
U.S. citizens recorded 10,043,394 international departures in August 2026, a slight increase from August 2025.
Mexico was the largest outbound destination, receiving 3,248,570 U.S. visitors. It accounted for 32.3% of all U.S. citizen international departures during the month. Travel to Canada, meanwhile, increased 5.9% year over year.
Year to date, North America—comprising Mexico and Canada—accounted for 49.2% of U.S. outbound travel, while overseas destinations represented the remaining 50.8%.
Mexico and the Caribbean remained especially important. Their combined year-to-date totals—27,465,384 departures to Mexico and 8,149,420 to the Caribbean—accounted for 46.8% of all U.S. citizen international departures.
Europe remains the second-largest outbound market
Europe received 2,435,727 U.S. visitors in August, making it the second-largest outbound market after Mexico. The region accounted for 24.3% of all U.S. citizen international departures during the month.
Outbound travel to Europe nevertheless declined 1.3% compared with August 2025.
A mixed picture for international travel
The August figures show a travel market moving at different speeds. Rising arrivals from Mexico and Canada provided an important source of growth, but they could not fully counter the contraction in overseas visitation.
Outbound travel proved more resilient. Americans continued to travel internationally in large numbers, with Mexico maintaining its dominant position and Europe attracting almost one-quarter of all departures.
The contrast between declining overseas arrivals and comparatively stable U.S. outbound demand will remain an important trend for the travel and tourism industry to watch during the remainder of 2026.