Major American Cities That Are Increasing In Tourism

“I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move,”, said the great Scottish novelist Robert Louis Stevenson.

The essence of travel truly is to keep moving. Opening eyes to different cultures, places and themes of life often miles away from home comforts in not only physical ways elevates our understanding.

There has certainly been a boom in travelling ever since the COVID-19 pandemic stopped the natural curiosity of wanderlust. According to a recent report published by the World Economic Forum, it is the United States that outperformed European countries like Spain and France as well as Asia and Australia for tourism. The people are coming to what is, at the moment, the greatest country in the world for tourists. But where are they going?

The big cities have really rallied to the American dream cause with strong marketing campaigns and branding that goes directly to the heart and soul of the tourist. Las Vegas is up in lights before advertising even begins. It is a party city and known as the entertainment venue of the world, welcoming 41 million visitors in 2023.

The Vegas Strip appears to be driving many numbers to that iconic line of shops, restaurants, casinos and hotels that attract wave after wave. The Super Bowl came in 2024 as Patrick Mahomes ensured that NFL playoff odds for Kansas are pretty good value in the most watched broadcast since the Moon landing. The Formula 1 circus will arrive later to boost Las Vegas as a must-visit venue.

New York City sells itself and has a rich vein of culture, heritage, sports, entertainment and green space that provides everything that could appeal to tourists. Landmarks like the Statute of Liberty and the Empire State Building will always be a wow moment, but Central Park came top of the charts in a recent survey of best retreats. The huge acreage set against a striking backdrop served as the kind of escape from city life that tourists want. 42 million visitors a year will confirm that.

Miami holds all the allure of the seaside in summer and it is flooded with tourists. There are the shopping malls and the luxury restaurants that run alongside the allure of the beach. South Beach, Miami ranks as one of the most popular tourism destinations worldwide, and its family attractions, like Miami Zoo and the Tidal Cove Waterpark, retain huge numbers. The art scene is also high on tourism agendas with the Art Deco Historic District and Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Its ties to Latin America mean there is a natural gateway for a large number of visitors from Brazil, Mexico and Colombia as well as domestically.

Orlando is often termed as “The City Beautiful” and the influx of tourists seems to bear this out. In 2023, there was an increase of 25 percent in international travel to the city, which was assisted by a number of new direct flights to the region in recent times and the introduction of a more streamlined VISA process in Latin America.

Orlando has been pushing the “Winter Never Exists” slogan which has boosted its huge advantages for families. It is known as the Theme Park Capital of the World with movie-inspired and toy- brand generated resorts opening up constantly. However, that beauty also has a natural resource of over 100 lakes and the site of human endeavor at Cape Canaveral. 2025 will see the introduction of Universal Epic Universe, the most immersive theme park yet.

San Francisco has recovered from difficult and turbulent times. The city retains its big set pieces like the Golden Gate Bridge while the Bay Area has a huge reputation for housing some of the world’s biggest companies such as Apple. A host of festivals and events in the summer months is always a crowd pleaser. What is really expected to drive tourism in 2025 is the larger number of conventions at the famous Moscone Center and hosting the NBA All-Star Game. There’s also a new WNBA franchise, and other major events, like Roger Federer’s Laver Cup competition in 2025.

The United States has always had images ans experiences that resonate with travelers across decades. The vibrancy and diverse nature of landscapes, mountains, parks and deserts are like travelling to a country within a country. The U.S. is also a master of the huge event and who can forget that the World Cup will be co-hosted by 11 cities in 2026. The 2028 Olympic flame will return to Los Angeles two years later.

The Great American experience encompasses so many things that it retains its status as a travel destination to die for.