The leisure tourism to the United States is declining, while business bookings remain strong, a countercyclical dynamic in 2025.
A global attraction hub, the country captures 15% of professional flights, according to SAP Concur, distancing Germany and the United Kingdom.
Despite a gloomy climate, The flow of business to the United States continues, with an incoming increase of about 1%.
The Canada–United States corridor remains strong, while American departures internationally are decreasing by 2.3%.
On airfares, stability prevails despite demand, with an average ticket price close to $1,682.
Between seasonality and pricing policies, Companies adjust budgets and travel policies to secure margins and capture opportunities.
| Snapshot | |
|---|---|
| Trend | Leisure tourism to the United States is declining, while business travel remains strong. |
| Booking Share | 15% of global business air bookings target the United States in H1 2025. |
| Gap with Europe | US share is twice that of Germany (7.7%) and the United Kingdom (7.6%). |
| Canada–US Flow | Nearly 80% of international business trips from Canada target the United States; Canadian outbound volume is slightly up (+0.18%). |
| Entrants to US | Business arrivals to the United States are up by +1% vs H1 2024. |
| US Exits | International business travel from the US is down by -2.3% (H1 2025). |
| Global Pace | Global business travel growth of +2.6% YoY, slowing from 4.5% (Q1) to 0.6% (Q2). |
| Seasonality | Quarterly variations remain consistent with seasonal patterns. |
| Destination Ranking | Top 10 H1 2025: US, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Spain, Netherlands, Mexico, China, Italy. |
| Airfares | International business tickets stable at approx. $1,682 on average (H1 2025). |
| Country Gaps | US pays the most ($2,675), ahead of Japan ($1,950) and Italy ($719). |
| US–Canada Corridor | Average round trip at $997 (Q1), returning to $1,100 in June (2024 level). |
| 2024 Context | Confirmed business rebound: domestic +3%, international +6% overall. |
| Sentiment & macro | Negative sentiment in Europe/Canada/Asia has little impact on flows to the US; effects of pricing policies without breaking trends. |
Shift in Tourist Flows
Leisure travel to the United States is sharply declining in 2025. Leisure travel is faltering to the United States, while business travel maintains its trajectory, driven by corporate imperatives. Companies continue their travel, despite a tumultuous geo-economic climate and stricter budgetary constraints.
Business travel to the country remains strong. Incoming bookings increased by about 1% in the first half of H1 2025 compared to 2024, a pace lower than the global growth of 2.6%. This dynamic reflects a post-pandemic normalization and a more pronounced seasonality in the second quarter.
Key Indicators H1 2025
Volumes and Market Shares
The market share of the United States reaches around 15% of all international business air bookings. This level is double that of Germany (7.7%) and the United Kingdom (7.6%), confirming the attractiveness of the world’s leading market for headquarters and sector hubs.
The ranking of international business destinations remains dominated by the United States, followed by Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Spain, Netherlands, Mexico, China, and Italy. The hierarchy illustrates interconnected value chains and dense industrial ecosystems.
Canada–United States Corridor
The Canada–United States cross-border corridor remains strong, with nearly 80% of Canadian business trips oriented towards the American market. Canadian outbound international volume is slightly up, around 0.18% in the first half, despite a tense diplomatic context.
Bi-national links demonstrate structural resilience, driven by the integration of supply chains and sales imperatives. Business travelers prioritize operational continuity, which ensures recurring revenues and sustained customer relationships.
Dynamics of American Companies Abroad
Companies based in the United States are reducing their international travel, with a decrease of about 2.3% in the first half of 2025. The first quarter decreased by about 1%, then the second quarter by 3.8%, consistent with a traditionally lower seasonality in spring.
This shift reveals streamlining strategies: hybrid meetings, consolidation of visits, and a stronger trade-off between physical presence and commercial efficiency. Procurement departments impose stricter profitability thresholds for each trip.
Airfares and Ticketing
Average international fares stabilize despite demand. The average price of an international business ticket hovers around $1,682 in the first half, indicating a balanced market. American travelers pay higher levels, around $2,675, compared to about $1,950 in Japan and $719 in Italy.
The Canada shows a readjustment: about $997 in the first quarter between United States and Canada, rising to $1,100 in June. Price-capacity elasticity reflects conservative seat scheduling, despite solid corporate demand on certain routes.
Macro Factors and Seasonality
American pricing policies disrupt some commercial flows, without undermining the necessity of client visits and quality control. The growth of 2024 revived business routes, and then the calendar effect moderated the second quarter of 2025.
Stakeholders observe a normalization: fewer erratic spikes, increased predictability of cycles, and a reallocation of budgets towards markets with tangible return on investment. Travel committees prioritize missions with a high density of meetings.
Impacts for Travel Managers and Buyers
Mastering airfares requires more disciplined booking windows and anticipation policies. Negotiations must target structuring corridors, in exchange for guaranteed volumes and pricing adjustment agreements.
Optimization demands compressed itineraries, prioritization of high-performing hubs, and clear budget allocations by strategic accounts. Teams can calibrate the duration of missions, strengthen considered bleisure, and capture more advantageous mixed rates.
Leisure in Redeployment: Alternatives and Inspirations
Leisure travelers are shifting their plans towards heritage destinations and less distant places. The South Loire Valley illustrates this shift, with a dense cultural fabric and a relaxed hospitality.
Regional cultural calendars attract an audience in search of authenticity, such as the exhibition in Lignières, which fosters curious and measured tourism. Flows are redirecting towards local events with high aesthetic value.
The rise of responsible tourism nurtures mindful and conscious itineraries. Initiatives in Nepal highlight the appeal of ethical practices, respectful of communities and sensitive ecosystems.
Tensions related to mass tourism remain tangible, with residents sometimes anxious about overcrowding. Analyses dedicated to these issues, like these, encourage harmonious planning and smarter quotas.
French territories gain summer visibility, like Tarn-et-Garonne in July, combining rural heritage, gastronomy, and serene rhythms. Households favor shorter trips and stays with contained carbon footprints.
