International visitors to the United States spent $126.9 billion on U.S. travel and tourism-related goods and services in the first half of 2025, the strongest six-month showing on record.
The new travel exports data, which are set to be released Wednesday by the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration, covers January through June and marks a 2.2% increase from last year. Trump administration officials praised the news as evidence that the U.S. continues to be a prized destination for tourists.
“President Trump has revitalized our country, ushering in the Golden Age of America,” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said. “Today’s record tourism numbers prove it. With historic prosperity and President Trump’s focus on public safety, people from around the world are coming to visit in record numbers.”
Specifically, U.S. travel exports measure inbound spending by foreign residents on goods and services on trips to the U.S. For years, inbound travel was affected by the pandemic, but the latest figures represent a 3.5% increase compared to a pre-COVID-19 peak in 2018.
Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade William Kimmitt, who leads the International Trade Administration, said the new data show the “appeal of the United States as the world’s premier travel destination.”
