Here are the top 5 European destinations for Americans heading abroad this summer, but rising costs are putting travel out of reach for many
More Americans are traveling abroad. More than ever in recorded historyNearly 49 million Americans visited a foreign country last year, with the number of annual travelers increasing by 10 million since 2022 and surpassing pre-COVID-19 levels.
This is good news, given that increased restrictions on international travel have caused the number of Americans traveling abroad to fall from 44.81 million in 2019 to 9.84 million in 2020. The recovery is real.
Where do Americans go abroad?
According to an annual report reconnaissance By the National Travel and Tourism Office, Mexico It was the top destination for Americans traveling abroad. The country attracted 33.5 million American visitors in 2022, an increase of 9.58% in 2023.
Americans crossing the pond preferred to travel to the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom received 3.7 million American tourists in 2022. France came in second place, followed by the tropical region. dominican republic.
Three European countries rank fifth on the list of Americans’ favorite tourist destinations: Italy welcomed 2.6 million visitors, while Germany and Spain tied for fifth place with 2 million visitors each.
Pew Research Center says Nearly three-quarters of Americans have visited at least one other country. Half of Americans are “occasional travelers,” having visited fewer than five countries. Twenty-six percent of “world travelers” have visited five or more countries. Only 23 percent of Americans have never left the United States, but most say they would if they had the chance.
Americans Backward Their neighbors across the Atlantic. Most Swedes (88%) have traveled to more than five countries, making Swedes the most traveled on the continent. The Netherlands came in second with 83%, while Germany rounded out the top three with 70%.
However, European citizens have a slight advantage here. In addition to their geographical proximity, Schengen Area Allows free movement without customs or border checks between 29 European countries.
Which Americans are most likely to travel internationally?
Taking into account the Travel costs are rising dramatically.Personal finances play a crucial role in determining who travels abroad. Ninety-six percent of those who travel abroad highest income bracket They traveled abroad, with 67% visiting multiple countries. In contrast, 9% of those with the lowest incomes traveled in a similar way. Nearly half of those earning less than $30,000 traveled abroad. He never left the country..
The cost of air travel alone puts international travel out of reach for many. “It’s a great way to get around the world,” says Hayley Berg, lead economist at travel app Hopper. He told CNBC, The average round-trip airfare to any Asian country is $1,600. In a modern European summer of TikTok-watching, the average ticket costs the average American $1,000, 20% more than it did before the pandemic.
Americans are more likely to travel abroad as their level of education increases. Thirty-seven percent of those who attended some or no college have never left the United States, while only seven percent of college graduates say the same.
Master’s and doctoral degrees are among the most widely traveled degrees, with 59% of graduate degree holders in the United States traveling around the world.
Age also influences travel behavior, giving older Americans an advantage. People 65 and older are twice as likely to travel internationally as travelers under 30.
Furthermore, there is a generational gap in how people travel. According to a study by Offshore, Gen Z and millennials who work remotely often combine their careers with long-term travel. Deloitte Summer Travel Survey 2024Known as “laptop carriers,” these young travelers make the most of their extended stays abroad, traveling further and having more fun.
Travelers sex Racial disparities are similar. Thirty-two percent of women have never traveled outside the United States, compared with 22 percent of men. While the number of women and men who have traveled to a single country is relatively similar, men are more likely to travel internationally. Three-quarters of white and Latino Americans have left the United States, compared with 49 percent of black Americans.
Some states travel more than others. NTTO Poll Californians top the list of outbound travelers, with 5.4 million state residents traveling abroad, followed by New Yorkers, with 5.1 million.
Florida, Texas and New Jersey ranked among the top five host states for American outbound travelers in 2022.
Foreign travelers have greater knowledge of the world.
The benefits of traveling abroad are not limited to seeing new sights and experiences. The Pew Research Center reports that international travel can broaden one’s understanding of the world and increase one’s knowledge of global affairs.
Researchers tested Americans by creating Short test This test measures their knowledge of world news. The results showed that frequent travelers follow world news closely and show a strong interest in foreign affairs; world travelers excelled in the test with an average score of 8.2 out of 12.
People who had visited one to four countries got an average of 6.4 correct answers, while Americans who had never left the country got an average of 4.2 correct answers.
In an election year where foreign policy and International cooperation at stakeThe American public’s views on international engagement matter a great deal. Fifty-seven percent of global travelers believe the United States should play an active role in world politics. By contrast, majorities of both regular travelers and non-travelers believe the United States should prioritize solving domestic issues first.
Is there a consensus? More than half of survey respondents agree that U.S. foreign policy should take into account the interests of other countries and remain open to compromise.
Travel also builds a sense of connection with people around the world, providing a direct experience with other cultures and ways of life. Forty-two percent of global travelers feel close to people in different countries, compared to about a third of regular travelers and non-travelers.
