Chicago – October 30, 2024
The United States expects a significant increase in tourists, with projections reaching 90 million by 2026. State Department Secretary Antony Blinken and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo announced this.
They shared this news amidst a record year where 8.5 million out of 11.5 million visas were visitor visas in fiscal year 2024.
Visa processing has also improved, reducing wait times by nearly 60%. According to a State Department spokesperson who spoke to Fox News Digital, more people can now visit the U.S. than ever before, and efforts are in place to keep this trend going.
These announcements are timely, as the U.S. is gearing up to host major international events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
The travel sector, hit hard by the COVID pandemic, is expected to recover by next year fully. Travel and tourism support nearly 10 million jobs in America and generate $2.3 trillion in economic activity.
