Montana Joins Michigan, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Tennessee, North Carolina And More in A Skyrocketing Record Tourism Boom In Us Last Year, Everything You Need To Know

Published on September 13, 2025

In 2024, Virginia joined a prestigious group of U.S. states experiencing a record-breaking surge successful tourism, pursuing successful nan footsteps of states for illustration Michigan, Tennessee, North Carolina, California, Wisconsin, and more. These states saw an unprecedented roar successful visitant spending, driven by a assortment of factors ranging from earthy attractions to taste landmarks and municipality revitalization. This tourism detonation has not only boosted section economies but besides underscored nan resilience and diverseness of nan U.S. tourism sector, which continues to accommodate to evolving recreation trends.

Virginia’s tourism deed a precocious of $35 billion successful nonstop visitant spending, spurred by its coastal escapes, Civil War history, and vino trails. Its cities for illustration Richmond and Norfolk further contributed to nan state’s tourism appeal, drafting some home and world visitors. Similarly, Michigan posted a $54.8 billion tourism impact, pinch a revival successful Detroit, nan allure of its Great Lakes, and nan stunning beauty of its Upper Peninsula.

Other states for illustration Tennessee, known for its euphony segment and outdoor adventures, North Carolina pinch its breathtaking coastlines and mountains, California’s iconic landscapes, and Wisconsin’s stunning earthy wonders person each seen singular increases successful visitant numbers and spending, further cementing their position arsenic apical recreation destinations. This grounds tourism roar crossed nan U.S. successful 2024 has been a testament to nan resilience of nan recreation manufacture and its important domiciled successful sustaining section economies.

As we look ahead, these states are poised for continued maturation successful 2025, pinch investments successful infrastructure, caller attractions, and innovative trading strategies. Their divers offerings, from metropolis life to nature, guarantee they stay connected travelers’ radar for years to come.

California Leads The Pack

California continues to beryllium a tourism powerhouse, pinch a grounds $157.3 billion successful visitant spending successful 2024, marking a 3% increase from nan erstwhile year. The state’s immense offerings, from Hollywood’s glamour to Yosemite’s earthy beauty and nan world-famous Napa Valley vino region, cater to a wide scope of visitors. Major cities for illustration Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego tie millions annually, pinch cultural, entertainment, and earthy attractions.

In summation to nan number of visitors, California’s tourism assemblage created complete 1.2 cardinal jobs successful sectors for illustration hospitality, transportation, and entertainment, making it a important economical driver. With a $12.6 cardinal boost successful taxation revenue, nan authorities costs basal services for illustration education and infrastructure.

Looking forward, while rising recreation costs whitethorn impact world visitors, California’s robust tourism infrastructure and divers attractions guarantee its continued activity successful U.S. tourism.

California State Guide

Top Cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego

Places to Visit: Yosemite National Park, Napa Valley, Big Sur

Things to Do: Wine tasting successful Napa, Hiking successful Yosemite, Exploring Hollywood

Food & Culture: California Cuisine, Mexican and Asian influences successful food. Vibrant arts and euphony scene.

Hidden Gems: Big Sur’s coastal views, Sequoia National Park, Lake Tahoe

Wisconsin The Hidden Gem Is Here

In 2024, Wisconsin emerged arsenic a astonishing tourism powerhouse, achieving a record-breaking $16.3 billion successful visitant spending. This surge was driven by nan state’s earthy beauty, taste attractions, and divers experiences. Iconic destinations for illustration Door County and nan Apostle Islands captivated visitors pinch their scenic views, outdoor activities, and charm. The authorities besides saw important tourism successful Wisconsin Dells, celebrated for its unsocial earthy wonders, and Milwaukee, known for its taste segment and trade breweries.

The state’s tourism effect reached $25.8 billion, underscoring its captious domiciled successful Wisconsin’s economical growth. Tourism supported section businesses, created jobs, and fueled economical activity crossed nan state, from Madison to Green Bay. Looking up to 2025, Wisconsin’s committedness to enhancing tourism infrastructure and offering unsocial experiences ensures it will stay a apical destination for travelers seeking earthy beauty and taste richness.

Wisconsin State Guide

Top Cities: Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay

Places to Visit: Door County, Apostle Islands, Wisconsin Dells

Things to Do: Hiking and boating successful Door County, Explore Lake Michigan beaches, Visit Milwaukee’s breweries and museums

Food & Culture: Cheese, Bratwurst and beer

Hidden Gems: Devil’s Lake State Park, The House connected nan Rock, Kettle Moraine State Forest

Montana The Pearl of nan Sea

Montana has quickly risen arsenic a hidden gem successful nan U.S. tourism industry, experiencing record-breaking maturation successful 2024, pinch $5 billion successful visitant spending. Known for its vast, untouched landscapes and outdoor escapade opportunities, Montana has captivated travelers seeking nan Great American West. The state’s iconic nationalist parks, including Yellowstone and Glacier National Park, connection breathtaking views, wildlife encounters, and endless opportunities for hiking, fishing, and camping. Additionally, Montana’s rugged terrain and serene locations for illustration Cody and Jackson person drawn escapade seekers and quality lovers from astir nan world.

This tourism roar has fueled section economies, supporting thousands of jobs related to hospitality, outdoor recreation, and tourism services. Looking up to 2025, Montana’s unparalleled beauty and outdoor experiences proceed to pull visitors, solidifying its spot arsenic 1 of nan apical destinations for quality enthusiasts and escapade seekers.

Montana State Guide

Top Cities: Billing, Bozeman, Missoula

Places to Visit: Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, Mackenzie River

Things to Do: Hiking and wildlife viewing successful Glacier National Park, Fishing and rafting connected nan Yellowstone River, Exploring Cody and Jackson for scenic landscapes.

Food & Culture: Bison burgers, Montana steaks Native American culture

Hidden Gems: Flathead Lake, The National Bison Range, Beartooth Highway

New York City Makes a Strong Comeback

In 2024, New York City made a powerful recovery, seeing 64.3 cardinal visitors and generating a singular $88 billion successful tourism revenue, reflecting a 3.5% increase from nan erstwhile year. The city’s cultural, entertainment, and shopping attractions stay arsenic celebrated arsenic ever, pinch iconic spots for illustration Times Square, Central Park, and Broadway continuing to captivate millions. New York City’s expertise to pull some home and world visitors underscores its enduring world entreaty arsenic a apical recreation destination.

The economical effect of tourism extends beyond visitant spending. Tourism besides supports complete 388,000 jobs successful nan city, ranging from hotel staff and restaurant employees to tour guides and transportation workers. Additionally, tourism-generated tax revenue of $6.8 billion helps money important nationalist services and infrastructure projects. As nan metropolis recovers and prepares for much growth, experts foretell complete 67 cardinal visitors successful 2025, further fueling nan section system and supporting businesses crossed nan 5 boroughs.

New York City State Guide

Top Neighborhoods: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens

Places to Visit: Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Metropolitan Museum of Art

Things to Do: See a Broadway show, Take a stroll done Central Park aliases rent a bike, Explore nan highline parkland built connected an aged railway track.

Food & Culture: New York-style pizza, Bagels, Cultural diversity

Hidden Gems: The Cloisters, The Tenement Museum, Roosevelt Island

North Carolina’s Hidden Charm

North Carolina’s Hidden Charm successful 2024 Tourism

In 2024, North Carolina firmly established itself arsenic a starring tourism destination, pinch $36.7 billion successful visitant spending, marking a 3.1% increase from nan erstwhile year. The state’s entreaty lies successful its divers landscapes, ranging from nan majestic Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains to nan stunning beaches of nan Outer Banks. North Carolina offers thing for everyone, from outdoor enthusiasts and beachgoers to history buffs and taste explorers.

Tourism successful nan authorities not only supports a wide array of industries but besides plays a captious domiciled successful section economies, creating thousands of jobs successful hospitality, recreation, and taste sectors. The state’s rich | cultural heritage, including historical landmarks and festivals, further enhances its tourism draw. Looking to 2025, North Carolina is expected to proceed expanding its tourism infrastructure, solidifying its spot arsenic 1 of nan apical destinations successful nan U.S. for travelers seeking some escapade and taste enrichment.

North Carolina State Guide

Top Cities: Charlotte, Raleigh, Asheville

Places to Visit: Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Outer Banks

Things to Do: Hike successful nan Great Smoky Mountains aliases nan Blue Ridge Parkway, Relax connected nan beaches of nan Outer Banks, Explore historical sites successful Wilmington and Old Salem.

Food & Culture: Barbecue, Craft beer, Traditional Southern Cuisine

Hidden Gems: Pisgah National Forest, The Biltmore Estate, North Carolina’s vino country.

Tennessee Hits All-Time High

Tennessee Hits All-Time High successful 2024 Tourism

In 2024, Tennessee reached an all-time precocious successful tourism, signaling an awesome $31.7 billion successful visitant spending. This surge was mostly driven by nan state’s thriving music scene, rich | cultural heritage, and breathtaking outdoor landscapes. Major cities for illustration Nashville and Memphis proceed to beryllium apical attractions, drafting visitors for their iconic music festivals, humanities landmarks, and vibrant nightlife. Graceland successful Memphis and nan Grand Ole Opry successful Nashville stay 2 of nan astir visited sites, offering a cleanable blend of music history and intermezo for visitors of each ages.

Beyond nan euphony scene, Tennessee’s earthy beauty besides played a important domiciled successful its tourism success. Millions of visitors flocked to nan Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 1 of nan astir visited nationalist parks successful nan U.S., for activities specified arsenic hiking, camping, and scenic drives. The park’s diverse landscapes, wildlife, and trails cater to families and escapade seekers alike.

Despite facing challenges for illustration a 60% fund trim successful tourism funding for 2025, Tennessee’s tourism assemblage is projected to proceed its upward trajectory. The state’s expertise to pull visitors from astir nan world, whether they are drawn by its rich | music legacy, history, aliases natural wonders, ensures its spot arsenic 1 of nan top U.S. recreation destinations successful 2025 and beyond.

Tennessee State Guide

Top Cities: Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville

Places to Visit: Graceland Elvis Presley’s iconic mansion, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, The National Civil Rights Museum

Things to Do: Explore nan euphony segment successful Nashville, Take a scenic thrust done nan Great Smoky Mountains aliases sojourn Cades Cove for wildlife viewing, Tour Graceland and immerse yourself successful nan life of Elvis Presley.

Food & Culture: Barbecue, Hot Chicken, Live Music

Hidden Gems: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Fall Creek Falls State Park

Virginia, New Jersey and Michigan Drive Record-Breaking Visitor Spending

In 2024, Virginia knowledgeable a important boost successful tourism, pinch nonstop visitant spending reaching $35 billion. This maturation was fueled by nan state’s unsocial offerings, including coastal escapes, Civil War history, and its extended vino trails. Visitors flocked to iconic destinations for illustration nan Chesapeake Bay, pinch its serene beaches and h2o activities, and humanities sites specified arsenic Appomattox Court House and Manassas, wherever important Civil War battles took place. Additionally, nan cities of Richmond and Norfolk played a awesome domiciled successful contributing to nan state’s tourism revenue, pinch Richmond’s rich | taste segment and Norfolk’s coastal charm attracting some home and world visitors.

New Jersey saw a record-breaking year, pinch visitant spending reaching $50.6 billion, marking nan highest successful nan state’s history. The surge successful spending was mostly driven by Atlantic City casinos, Jersey Shore beaches, and municipality attractions adjacent to New York City. The state’s beardown betterment post-pandemic, alongside an summation successful luxury tourism, helped diversify its tourism industry. Visitors flocked to nan vibrant Princeton, historical Hoboken, and nan bustling Newark area, benefiting from its proximity to nan Big Apple while offering its unsocial section experiences.

Michigan besides knowledgeable a notable summation successful tourism, pinch a full tourism effect of $54.8 cardinal successful 2024. Much of this maturation was owed to nan revival of Detroit, which continues to look arsenic a taste hub, and nan state’s earthy beauty, peculiarly successful nan Upper Peninsula. The operation of municipality tourism successful Detroit and outdoor attractions specified arsenic Mackinac Island and Sleeping Bear Dunes showcased really some metropolis life and quality tourism tin complement each other, driving economical maturation crossed nan state.

US Tourism Thrives successful 2024: Key States See Record Growth and Economic Impact

This article provides an in-depth look astatine nan awesome maturation and effect of tourism successful respective cardinal U.S. states successful 2024. It highlights really California, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Montana, and New York City person go apical destinations, attracting millions of visitors and generating billions successful tourism spending. From California’s iconic attractions to Tennessee’s thriving euphony segment and earthy wonders, each authorities has knowledgeable important economical benefits, including occupation creation and taxation revenue. The article besides addresses challenges specified arsenic fund cuts successful tourism funding, yet emphasizes that nan tourism assemblage is expected to proceed its upward trajectory. As these states proceed to create their tourism infrastructure and offerings, they are group to stay apical choices for travelers, ensuring a beardown early for nan U.S. tourism industry.

Tourism Drives Job Growth Across US

Tourism has a important effect connected occupation creation crossed nan U.S., pinch various states benefiting from nan influx of visitors. California stands retired pinch complete 1.2 cardinal tourism-related jobs, peculiarly successful nan hospitality, entertainment, and proscription sectors. Wisconsin has seen its tourism roar supporting section businesses and occupation growth, though circumstantial occupation numbers are not provided. Tennessee besides benefits greatly, creating thousands of jobs successful its music, cultural, and outdoor sectors. In Montana, nan increasing tourism manufacture supports a wide scope of jobs related to outdoor recreation and hospitality. New York City sees an tremendous publication from tourism, pinch 388,000 jobs tied to nan sector, ranging from edifice unit to circuit guides. North Carolina’s tourism infrastructure supports thousands of jobs successful areas for illustration outdoor recreation, hospitality, and taste events. Overall, tourism is simply a important driver of employment crossed these states, pinch jobs spanning aggregate industries and sectors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, nan tourism manufacture crossed nan U.S. has shown singular resilience and maturation successful 2024, pinch states for illustration California, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and New York City starring nan way. Each authorities has leveraged its unsocial attractions, from California’s divers landscapes and taste hotspots to Tennessee’s rich | euphony segment and outdoor adventures. Tourism continues to beryllium a cardinal driver of economical activity, supporting millions of jobs and generating billions successful revenue. Despite challenges for illustration fund cuts successful immoderate states, nan sector’s beardown instauration ensures its continued success. As 2025 approaches, these destinations stay poised for further growth, solidifying their positions arsenic apical recreation spots for some home and world visitors. The early of U.S. tourism looks bright, pinch a committedness of much breathtaking developments, caller experiences, and expanded opportunities for travelers.