The United States received nearly 3.1 million visitors in August 2026, marking an 11.8% year-over-year decline, according to data released on September 17 by the National Travel and Tourism Office. This drop continued a downward trend following a 7% decrease in July 2026.
Regional Visitor Arrivals Decline Across All Areas
Visitor numbers declined from all origins in August 2026. The steepest drops were from Africa, where arrivals fell 25.5%, Central America with a 20.6% decline, and Western Europe, which recorded a 14.8% decrease.
Summer 2026 Visitor Numbers Fall Short of Expectations
The U.S. travel industry expected a strong summer for inbound visitors in 2026. However, visitor arrivals, including those related to the World Cup, fell
short of projections, contributing to the 7% decline in July and the larger 11.8% drop observed in August.
