North America Sees Stable International Travel, Adds Nearly 3,000 New Routes

A joint report from Amadeus and UN Tourism, titled “Travel Insights 2026: Focus on the Americas,” analyzed passenger traffic trends across the Americas for the 12 months ending April 2026. The report found that overall passenger traffic in the Americas increased by 0.8% during this period. Travel volumes closely matched scheduled capacity, indicating a stable operating environment for the region.

International Arrivals and Subregional Trends

According to UN Tourism’s World Tourism Barometer, international tourist arrivals in the Americas rose by 2% in the first quarter of 2026. North America, which accounts for over 60% of the region’s arrivals, also saw a 2% increase in Q1 2026. Central America experienced the highest growth, with an 18% rise in arrivals. In contrast, the Caribbean remained flat at 0%, and South America saw a 1% decline.

Air Passenger Traffic and New Routes

North America’s air passenger traffic was essentially unchanged in the 12 months to April 2026, with a slight year-over-year decrease of 0.1%. During the same period, available seat capacity rose by 2%. The region saw the announcement of 2,965 new international routes, reinforcing North America’s role as a primary connectivity hub within the hemisphere.

Central America recorded a 7.5% increase in air passenger traffic, while South America grew by 5.5%. These figures indicate growing interest in travel to these subregions compared to North America’s stable performance.

Intra-Regional and International Demand Patterns

Intra-regional travel among the United States, Canada, and Mexico continued to drive the majority of travel volume in North America. The three countries maintained their positions as the top origin markets, providing a stable base for long-term planning and air connectivity strategies.

Search interest from outside the core North American markets increased. Canada (42%), Jamaica (40%), and the Republic of Korea (39%) showed the strongest year-over-year growth in searches for travel to North America. Japan (37%) and Puerto Rico (36%) also demonstrated notable increases. Actual bookings from Asia saw growth, with Japan up 7%, China up 2%, and the Republic of Korea up 1%. The report noted a gap between search interest and booking conversion from Caribbean travelers, suggesting potential for destinations to convert interest into actual visits.

Hotel Occupancy and Traveler Demographics

Hotel occupancy in North America remained steady during peak months from May to October, supporting consistent revenue planning. The United States and Canada recorded the highest average daily rates (ADR) in the hemisphere. ADR increased across all subregions, indicating continued pricing power amid stable occupancy rates.

Forward-looking hotel bookings were well aligned across major markets, providing early visibility into demand. Key destinations in North America attracted a diverse visitor base, with the 46-to-65 age group leading demand in cities such as New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, and Dallas. The 36-to-45 age group was most prominent in Atlanta and Dallas.

Conclusion

The report concludes that North America’s international travel market is characterized by stable volumes, strong intra-regional demand, and expanding connectivity through new routes. While North America remains the primary hub for travel in the Americas, Central and South America are experiencing growing interest. The data highlights opportunities for destinations to convert increased search interest from new markets into actual bookings, and indicates that hotel performance remains resilient in the region.