International air arrivals to the United States fell 6.1% in the second quarter of 2026, the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) reported. About 10.3 million foreign visitors arrived by plane from April to June, fewer than a year earlier, even though the FIFA World Cup began in June and brought an estimated 471,000 air travelers.

How did the World Cup impact travel?

The tournament drew about 341,000 air visitors from overseas, 91,000 from Mexico and 38,000 from Canada, according to NTTO estimates. Those fans made up 10.3% of air arrivals from Mexico but only 4.6% of long-haul overseas arrivals and 1.9% of Canadian ones.

The figures cover only the first weeks of the event, which started on 11 June and ran into July, so they do not capture the full tournament. They also do not show that the World Cup caused the decline; they show only that a major event coincided with one.

Which markets saw the most decline?

Overseas markets recorded the steepest drop, down 8.0% to 7.4 million. Canadian air arrivals slipped 0.9% to 2.0 million and Mexican arrivals fell 0.5% to 886,000.

The United Kingdom remained the largest overseas source with about one million visitors, followed by India (602,000), Brazil (461,000), Japan (423,000) and Germany (368,000). European markets have been weak through the year, with sharper declines reported from Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands, while Colombia, Ecuador and Taiwan posted gains.

What does this mean for the travel industry?

The decline matters because overseas visitors spend more and stay longer. NTTO data put average overseas spending at US$1,938 over 17.5 nights, compared with US$1,129 over 9.4 nights for Canadians and US$1,537 over 9.5 nights for Mexicans.

The hospitality sector is watching closely. World Cup host markets generated about $680 million in room revenue, but high pricing may have pushed out group business in seven markets, according to one industry report. Tourism Economics has trimmed its outlook for international arrivals this year, citing softer demand.

FAQ

Which US cities received the most international air travelers?

New York City led with 2.6 million visits, followed by Miami (1.3 million), Los Angeles and Orlando (about 1.2 million each) and Las Vegas (829,000).

How much did overseas visitors spend on average?

Overseas guests spent an average of US$1,938 per trip and stayed 17.5 nights during the quarter, according to NTTO estimates.