U.S. Overseas Travel Reaches Record Levels

According to the International Trade Administration, more than 56 million U.S. residents traveled overseas last year, an increase from approximately 53.7 million in 2024 and around 32.7 million a decade ago. A record high of nearly 24 million Americans traveled to Europe in 2025, with the United Kingdom, Italy, and France being the most popular destinations. Growth in U.S. visits was particularly notable in Portugal and Greece from 2015 to 2025. The wealthiest income bracket is the primary driver of this increase in overseas travel, with older travelers aged 55-64 and younger travelers aged 18-24 leading the demographic trends. Rich Harrill, director of the University of South Carolina's International Tourism Research Institute, noted that older generations view travel as a necessity, while younger generations prioritize experiences over material possessions. In FY 2025, the U.S. issued a record 27.3 million passports. However, rising airfare costs and economic concerns have led to an increase in domestic weekend trips.