In Brief: In April 2026, international arrivals to the United States decreased by 5.5% compared to the previous year, while outbound travel by U.S. citizens increased by 2%, with Mexico and Canada remaining the top destinations and sources for travelers.
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International Arrivals to U.S. Down 5.5% in April 2026; Outbound Travel Up 2% – Image Credit Unsplash
Overview of April 2026 International Travel Figures
In April 2026, the United States saw notable changes in international travel patterns, according to data released by the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO). The total number of international visitors arriving in the U.S. reached 5,645,630, reflecting a 5.5% decrease compared to April 2025. Conversely, outbound travel by U.S. citizens totaled 8,518,078, marking a 2% increase from the same month the previous year. These figures highlight shifting trends in travel demand and preferences among both international visitors and U.S. residents.
International Arrivals: Visitor Numbers and Key Source Markets
The NTTO data shows that non-U.S. resident arrivals to the United States in April 2026 were 5,645,630, down from the previous year. This decline may be partially attributed to the timing of Easter, which fell on April 5th in 2026, compared to April 20th in 2025, potentially affecting travel patterns for both years.
Mexico remained the largest source of international visitors, with 1,665,114 arrivals, followed by Canada with 1,363,690. The United Kingdom, France, and India were the next most significant contributors, with 356,712, 161,811, and 156,279 arrivals, respectively. Together, these five countries accounted for 66% of all international arrivals to the U.S. in April.
When focusing on overseas tourism arrivals (excluding Canada and Mexico), the United Kingdom led with 304,371 visitors, followed by France (144,974), Brazil (137,041), India (113,191), and Japan (106,134). For overseas business travelers, the top five countries were the United Kingdom (50,892), India (38,107), Germany (25,805), Japan (24,022), and China (17,394).
Student arrivals from overseas were led by China (8,230), India (4,981), South Korea (1,862), the United Kingdom (1,449), and Brazil (1,390). These numbers indicate a continued strong presence of students from Asia and Europe in U.S. educational institutions.
U.S. Citizen Outbound Travel: Destinations and Market Shares
Outbound travel by U.S. citizens increased modestly in April 2026, with a total of 8,518,078 departures, up 2% from April 2025. North America, comprising Mexico and Canada, accounted for 50.2% of all U.S. departures, while overseas destinations made up the remaining 49.8%.
Mexico was the most popular destination for U.S. travelers, with 3,204,057 departures, representing 37.6% of all outbound travel for the month. Canada experienced a year-over-year increase in U.S. visitors, up 6.5% compared to April 2025.
Year-to-date figures show that Mexico (13,702,545) and the Caribbean (3,947,662) together accounted for 53.4% of all U.S. citizen international departures. Europe was the second largest market for outbound U.S. travelers, with 1,834,932 departures in April, accounting for 21.5% of the total. Outbound travel to Europe increased by 5.2% compared to April of the previous year.
Context and Influencing Factors
The timing of Easter, which shifted from late April in 2025 to early April in 2026, may have influenced travel volumes and the year-over-year comparisons. Seasonal holidays can significantly impact travel patterns, especially for international visitors and students.
Overall, the data from April 2026 point to a decline in international arrivals to the United States but continued growth in outbound travel by U.S. citizens, particularly to neighboring countries and Europe. The trends suggest evolving travel preferences and the ongoing importance of North American and European markets for both inbound and outbound U.S. travel.
