U.S. Inbound Tourism Slump Deepens to Start 2026

Key Points

• U.S. inbound tourism fell for the ninth consecutive month in January 2026, with a 4.2% decline in overseas visitors compared to the previous year.
• Significant drops were recorded from key markets, including double-digit decreases from Asia, Africa, and Oceania, and steep declines from countries like China and India.
• A proposed requirement for Visa Waiver Program travelers to share five years of social media history could further deter visitors, potentially costing the U.S. travel sector billions.

Summary

At the start of 2026, U.S. inbound tourism continued its slump, with January marking a ninth consecutive month of declines and overseas arrivals down 4.2% from the previous year. Major source markets like Western Europe and Asia saw significant drops, with countries such as China, India, and Germany experiencing particularly steep decreases. Industry leaders warn that proposed new policies, including requiring travelers to disclose years of social media activity, could further reduce visitor numbers and cost the U.S. travel sector billions in lost spending.