U.S. travel industry struggles to recover

Long visa wait times, outdated airport screening technology, and a lack of government leadership are costing the U.S. millions of annual visitors

According to a new report, the United States travel industry, worth $1.2 trillion, is recovering more slowly from the pandemic shutdown than other countries due to years of underinvestment and lack of government focus. The report ranks the U.S. 17th out of 18 major international destinations, which is a discouraging sign for the industry.

Key takeaways

• In 2023, the U.S. welcomed 67 million international visitors, just 84% of 2019—far lower than rivals’ recovery rates. The nation’s share of long-haul travel also declined, from 5.4% in 2019 to 5.3% last year;
• The U.S. came 17th out of 18 markets. It beat only China, where borders re-opened more slowly following the pandemic and international flight schedules remain thin. The top performers were the United Kingdom and France, heritage destinations with established tourism industries.

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