U.S. travel trends for February 2025 reveal a dynamic shift in global tourism patterns, with a notable decline in international visitor arrivals to the United States and a simultaneous increase in outbound travel by U.S. citizens.
According to new data released by the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), the numbers point to diverging travel behaviors shaped by post-pandemic recovery, shifting global priorities, and even the quirks of the calendar.
International Visitors to the United States
In February 2025, the total number of international visitors arriving in the United States was 4,636,160. This marked a 1.9% decrease from February 2024 and represented 91% of the total arrivals recorded in February 2019, before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The overseas portion of this group accounted for 2,198,100 arrivals, showing a 2.4% year-over-year decline.
The five leading source countries for international visitors were:
- Canada – 1,246,740 arrivals
- Mexico – 1,191,320 arrivals
- United Kingdom – 280,586 arrivals
- Japan – 152,344 arrivals
- Brazil – 145,325 arrivals
Together, these top five countries contributed to 65.1% of all international arrivals in February 2025. While Mexico and the UK held strong positions, several key markets saw noticeable drops in visitor numbers.
Top 10 Countries with Declines in Arrivals
| Country | % Change vs. Feb 2024 |
|---|---|
| Canada | -11.7% |
| France | -5.6% |
| South Korea | -16.2% |
| India | -1.8% |
| Germany | -8.5% |
| China | -11.1% |
| Spain | -1.9% |
| Colombia | -12.7% |
| Chile | -6.8% |
| Ireland | -3.2% |
Despite these declines, some countries like Brazil and the UK maintained strong numbers, especially in specific travel segments such as tourism and business travel.
Top 5 Overseas Arrivals by Travel Purpose
| Category | Top Countries |
|---|---|
| Tourism | UK, Brazil, Japan, France, South Korea |
| Business | UK, India, Germany, Japan, China |
| Student | India, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Brazil |
The reduction in student arrivals from South Korea, Taiwan, and China may reflect ongoing visa challenges or shifts in educational priorities, while India continues to lead among international students.
Outbound U.S. Travel Surges
While international visitors to the U.S. dipped slightly, the number of U.S. citizens traveling abroad surged. In February 2025, outbound departures totaled 7,371,465—a 4.6% increase compared to February 2024. This figure also stands at 116.4% of the total recorded in February 2019, indicating that Americans are more eager than ever to travel internationally.
North America continues to dominate U.S. outbound travel, with Mexico and Canada together holding a 53.4% share. However, Mexico alone drew an impressive 3,279,591 American visitors in February, making up nearly 45% of all outbound trips for the month. The Caribbean followed as the second most popular region with 946,860 departures, representing 12.8% of the month’s total international travel.
February 2025: Top U.S. Outbound Destinations
| Destination | Visitor Volume | % Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 3,279,591 | 44.5% |
| Caribbean | 946,860 | 12.8% |
| Canada | Declined 4% YOY | — |
Year-to-date, Mexico and the Caribbean combined have accounted for 57.5% of all U.S. outbound travel in 2025. These numbers suggest that warm-weather destinations continue to dominate American travel preferences, especially during winter months.
Leap Year Effect and Seasonal Factors
It’s worth noting that the comparison between February 2024 and February 2025 is slightly skewed due to the leap year. February 2024 had 29 days, while February 2025 had only 28. This one-day difference may have affected the totals and should be considered when analyzing percentage changes.
Despite the calendar quirk, the overarching trends still provide insight into where the travel market is headed—especially as international travel continues its uneven recovery post-COVID-19. U.S. citizens are traveling in greater numbers than before the pandemic, while inbound travel continues to face some hurdles in key global markets.
Looking Ahead
As travel demand continues to evolve, stakeholders across the tourism and hospitality sectors will need to respond to both new opportunities and lingering challenges. The resilience of outbound U.S. travel suggests strong consumer confidence, while dips in arrivals from major countries like China, South Korea, and Germany raise questions about recovery timelines and international relations.
For travelers, analysts, and businesses alike, these figures offer a snapshot of shifting global travel dynamics and hint at trends that could shape the rest of 2025. From education and business travel to seasonal getaways, every segment plays a role in the broader tourism ecosystem.
For full data and continued updates, visit the National Travel and Tourism Office.
