Published on August 12, 2025 |
By: Tuhin Sarkar
Houston aligns with Las Vegas, New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, and San Diego in breaking tourism spending records in the last year, driving billions into local travel industry economies. This achievement highlights how these vibrant cities have transformed 2024 into a historic chapter for the US tourism sector. Each city, from Houston to Las Vegas, from New York City to Chicago, Atlanta, and San Diego, has seen a surge in visitor spending that has fuelled economic growth and strengthened their travel industry economies.
US Cities like Las Vegas, New York, Miami, Chicago, and San Diego led the way, each posting billions in direct visitor spending. Other cities, such as Houston, New Orleans, and Phoenix, also enjoyed record gains. The increases were not only a boost for local tourism industries but also provided significant support for jobs and public revenues. This article explains the performance of each major destination in 2024, the reasons behind the growth, and the impact on local economies.

Las Vegas Tops the List with Record Visitor Spend

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Las Vegas retained its crown as the tourism capital of the United States in 2024. Visitors spent $55.1 billion in the city, making it the highest in the country for direct spending. The total economic impact reached an impressive $87.7 billion, showing how tourism drives every corner of the local economy.
Entertainment, gaming, conventions, and world-class dining kept visitor numbers strong. The city also benefited from major events, such as international boxing matches, technology expos, and large-scale music residencies. Hotels remained busy, with high occupancy rates through most of the year. The combination of leisure and business travel ensured steady demand and made Las Vegas a benchmark for other cities.

New York City Sees Over $50 Billion in Visitor Spending

New York City also had a record-breaking year. The city welcomed around 64 to 65 million visitors in 2024, generating about $51 billion in direct spending. Attractions like Times Square, Central Park, Broadway, and the Statue of Liberty drew millions, while the city’s thriving dining and shopping scenes boosted spending further.
International tourism played a major role, with strong recovery from European, Canadian, and South American markets. Large events, such as the New York Marathon, Fashion Week, and major concerts, also filled hotels and restaurants. The city’s tourism agency credited coordinated marketing campaigns and improved air connectivity for the success.

Miami-Dade Enjoys Record Gains from Leisure and Business Travel

Miami-Dade County, which includes Miami and Miami Beach, recorded $22 billion in visitor spending in 2024. The region attracted 28.2 million visitors, thanks to its year-round warm weather, beaches, cruise port, and cultural attractions.
The cruise industry was a major driver, with Miami remaining the busiest cruise port in the world. The Art Basel fair, music festivals, and sports events like Formula 1 also brought in international crowds. Domestic visitors from the Northeast and Midwest of the US flocked to Miami during the winter months, boosting hotel and restaurant sales.

Chicago’s Tourism Industry Reaches $20.6 Billion

Chicago welcomed 55.3 million visitors in 2024, who spent $20.6 billion during their stays. The city’s mix of business conventions, sporting events, and cultural festivals made it a strong performer.
Navy Pier, Millennium Park, and the city’s renowned museums attracted leisure travellers, while McCormick Place hosted major conferences. The restaurant scene, featuring both Michelin-starred dining and deep-dish pizza favourites, also drove spending. Chicago’s tourism board credited the rebound in corporate travel and a strong summer festival season for the gains.

Atlanta Posts $20 Billion in Visitor Spending

Atlanta’s metro area welcomed about 51 million visitors in 2024, generating $20 billion in direct spending. The city benefited from its position as a transport hub and convention destination. Major events, from music tours to sporting championships, filled hotels and event venues.
Atlanta’s attractions, including the Georgia Aquarium, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, and its thriving film industry tours, continued to draw both domestic and international visitors. The city also saw strong demand for meetings and conventions, boosting weekday hotel stays.

San Diego Tourism Hits $14.8 Billion

San Diego posted between $14.6 billion and $14.8 billion in visitor spending in 2024, with around 32.5 million visitors enjoying the city’s coastal charm. Beaches, the San Diego Zoo, and year-round festivals made it a magnet for family travel.
The city also attracted convention business to its downtown centre, while its craft beer industry and vibrant neighbourhoods added to the appeal. Mexican visitors contributed significantly, thanks to easy cross-border travel. The year saw balanced growth in both leisure and business travel segments.

Houston’s Tourism Booms with Over $10 Billion in Spending

Houston had a record-breaking year, with nearly $11 billion in visitor spending and 53.9 million visitors in 2024. Attractions like NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the Houston Zoo, sports events, and cultural festivals kept visitor numbers high.
Houston’s two major airports handled about 63 million passengers, an increase of almost 5% from 2023. Hotels sold more than 25 million room nights, up over 8% year-on-year. The city also saw a sharp rise in international visitors, especially from Mexico, reflecting targeted marketing campaigns.

New Orleans Generates $10.4 Billion in Tourism Revenue

New Orleans hosted 19.1 million visitors in 2024, who spent $10.4 billion in the city. Mardi Gras, jazz festivals, and its world-famous food scene remained the biggest draws. The city’s convention centre also hosted major business events, adding to midweek hotel demand.
Tourism officials credited a strong calendar of cultural events and a focus on safety and visitor experience for the growth. Spending gains were seen across hotels, restaurants, music venues, and tour operators.

Nashville Approaches $11 Billion in Visitor Spending

While 2024 final figures are still being confirmed, forecasts suggest that Nashville’s visitor spending reached close to $10.8 billion. The city’s live music scene, led by the Grand Ole Opry and Broadway’s honky-tonks, continued to attract millions of travellers.
Large-scale concerts, sports events, and conferences filled hotels year-round. Nashville also benefited from repeat visitation, as tourists returned for its mix of music, food, and Southern hospitality.

Phoenix Hits $5 Billion in Visitor Spending

Phoenix saw 20.8 million visitors in 2024, spending a total of $5 billion. The city’s sunny climate, golf courses, hiking trails, and resorts made it a favourite for winter escapes. Events like the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament and Cactus League baseball spring training boosted early-year travel.
The city’s convention business also grew, bringing in corporate travellers. Tourism officials plan to expand marketing to more international markets in 2025.

Key Factors Behind the 2024 Tourism Surge

Several trends explain the strong results across US cities. Domestic travel remained strong as Americans embraced both short breaks and long-distance city trips. International travel rebounded, with markets like Mexico, Canada, and Europe contributing heavily to visitor growth.
Large events, from sports finals to festivals, proved vital in filling hotels and restaurants. Investments in tourism infrastructure, including airports and convention centres, supported higher capacity. Marketing campaigns targeted both leisure and business travellers, ensuring a steady flow of visitors throughout the year.

Economic Benefits Go Beyond Tourism Businesses

Tourism spending supports a wide range of jobs, from hotel staff to taxi drivers, restaurant servers, and event planners. State and local governments benefit from tax revenues, which fund public services and infrastructure.
For example, in Houston alone, tourism generated $2.2 billion in state and local taxes in 2024. In Las Vegas and New York, the economic ripple effect extended to retail, real estate, and even construction. The strong tourism year also boosted investor confidence in hospitality projects.

Outlook for 2025 and Future Growth

Looking ahead, many cities aim to build on their 2024 success by hosting major events, expanding airline connections, and promoting their destinations more aggressively. Las Vegas will welcome new sports events and conventions, while New York plans to invest in visitor experience upgrades.
Destinations like Miami, Chicago, and Houston are targeting new international markets. Cities are also focusing on sustainability, aiming to balance growth with environmental responsibility. If current trends hold, 2025 could see another record year for US urban tourism.

Houston’s Record-Breaking Year for Tourism in 2024

Houston marked a milestone in 2024 as visitors spent nearly $11 billion, setting a new record for Texas’s largest city by area and the nation’s fourth largest by population. The rise in tourism spending was driven by a surge in both domestic and international travel, according to a new report from Houston First. The total economic impact from this activity reached $16.6 billion, representing an 8.6% increase in visitor spending over 2023. More than 54 million people visited the city, breaking previous records and proving Houston’s growing appeal as a global destination.

Strong Visitor Numbers from Across the Globe

The city welcomed 53.9 million visitors in total in 2024, marking a 4.8% rise from the previous year. This impressive figure included 52.6 million domestic travellers and 1.3 million international visitors. Across the greater metropolitan area, total visitation climbed to over 92 million, a 5.5% jump from 2023. International tourism was particularly strong from Mexico, with nearly 2 million visitors—a year-on-year increase of more than 16%. This surge underscored the importance of Houston’s position as a cultural, business, and leisure hub for North America.

Tourism’s Big Boost to the Local Economy

Beyond direct spending, tourism proved vital for Houston’s broader economy. Visitors generated $2.2 billion in state and local taxes, providing essential funding for public services. The sector directly supported nearly 121,800 jobs in the city, spanning hotels, restaurants, attractions, and transport. Across the metro area, tourism activity supported over 206,500 jobs. Houston Mayor John Whitmire praised the achievement, highlighting the city’s attractions—ranging from NASA and the Houston Zoo to thriving sports venues and cultural districts.

Strategic Promotion Drives Visitor Growth

Houston First, the city’s destination marketing organisation, played a central role in boosting visitor numbers. Mayor Whitmire credited the group for promoting the city globally, ensuring visitors feel welcomed and safe, and encouraging repeat travel. Michael Heckman, President and CEO of Houston First, said the results validated years of focused marketing strategies aimed at growing the hospitality industry. He confirmed plans to expand these efforts in 2025 to sustain momentum and further strengthen Houston’s tourism economy.

Hotels, Airports, and Attractions See Gains

Houston’s tourism boom was mirrored in its infrastructure performance. The city’s two airports handled roughly 63 million passengers in 2024, an increase of almost 5% compared to 2023. Hotels recorded more than 25 million room nights booked across the metro area, representing an 8.2% rise. Popular attractions—from family-friendly destinations to nightlife and fine dining—reported stronger attendance. Large-scale events and conventions also contributed significantly to filling hotel rooms and driving economic activity throughout the year.

Economic Impact Across Greater Houston

The wider Houston metropolitan region reaped major benefits from tourism in 2024. Direct visitor spending in the region totalled $16.6 billion, up 9.2% from the previous year. When factoring in indirect and induced impacts, the total regional economic impact soared to $27 billion. This spending supported a diverse range of businesses—from small local shops to multinational corporations—while enhancing Houston’s reputation as a competitive global tourism market.

International Travel Fuels Growth

International visitors, particularly from Mexico, Canada, and Europe, played a key role in Houston’s tourism success story. The sharp growth in Mexican visitors reflected improved connectivity, targeted marketing, and cultural affinity between the two regions. Business travel, medical tourism, and special events all contributed to rising inbound international numbers, reinforcing Houston’s role as both a gateway and a destination in its own right.

Outlook for 2025 and Beyond

Building on its 2024 momentum, Houston aims to further expand its reach in global tourism markets. Houston First plans to focus on strategic event hosting, expanding airline partnerships, and promoting the city’s unique blend of culture, cuisine, and commerce. With infrastructure investments and continued marketing, officials are optimistic about sustaining double-digit growth in key visitor metrics. If trends continue, Houston could be on track for another record-breaking year, further cementing its position as a leading travel destination in the United States.

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Tags: Houston, mexico, north america, Texas, United States

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