The United States received nearly 3.1 million international visitors in August 2026, marking an 11.8% decrease compared to the same month in 2025, according to data from the National Travel and Tourism Office published in September 2026. This drop continues the recent decline in inbound tourism figures for the country.
Regional Visitor Arrivals Show Significant Declines
Visitor arrivals to the U.S. fell across all tracked regions in August 2026. The sharpest drop was from Africa, where arrivals decreased by 25.5% year-over-year. Central America followed with a 20.6% decline, while arrivals from Western Europe also fell by 14.8% during the same period.
Visitor Trends Show Continuation of Decline
August’s 11.8% drop builds on
a 7% decline in July 2026, indicating a sustained downward trend in international tourism to the U.S. through the summer months.
The National Travel and Tourism Office data contrast with expectations for a strong summer tourism season in the U.S. The downturn also includes visitor shortfalls during the recent World Cup period, which had been anticipated to boost inbound arrivals.
