New York City, Philadelphia, Washington DC and Los Angeles are strengthening the domestic travel network supporting US tourism in 2026, with New York City forecasting 66.3 million visitors this year. The city recorded 65 million visitors in 2025, including 52.4 million domestic travellers, while Philadelphia, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Boston and the wider New York tristate area ranked among its leading feeder markets. Across the United States, total travel spending is forecast to reach $1.37 trillion in 2026, with domestic travel accounting for 87% of spending.
New York Tourism Builds On Strong Domestic Demand
New York City enters 2026 with domestic tourism providing the largest share of its visitor base. Domestic visitation reached 52.4 million in 2025, an increase of 1.7% over 2024, while overnight domestic trips increased 2.3% and represented 51% of domestic visitation. The city’s five largest feeder markets included the New York tristate area, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Los Angeles and Boston.
For 2026, New York City Tourism + Conventions projects 66.3 million total visitors, representing a 2% increase from 2025. Domestic visitors are forecast to reach 53.4 million, exceeding the city’s 2019 domestic visitation level. International visitation is projected to recover to 12.9 million, while business travel is forecast to reach 12.8 million visitors.
The city’s accommodation sector is also expanding. New York had approximately 124,000 hotel rooms across the five boroughs in 2025, with six new properties adding 992 rooms. A further 24 hotel projects representing 5,778 rooms were in active development through 2028.
Philadelphia Strengthens Its Role As A Feeder Market
Philadelphia is one of New York’s major domestic feeder markets and is also experiencing higher travel demand in 2026. Philadelphia International Airport projected almost 9.4 million passengers during June-August, approximately 6.3% more than the 8.8 million travellers recorded during summer 2025. July was expected to be the airport’s busiest month, with an estimated 3.2 million arriving and departing passengers.
Philadelphia’s proximity to New York makes the two cities easy to combine in a Northeast itinerary. Travellers can connect the destinations by Amtrak, intercity bus services or road, allowing visits to Manhattan, Philadelphia’s historic district and surrounding attractions within the same trip.
Washington DC Connects Capital Tourism With New York
Washington DC is another important feeder market for New York City and a major tourism destination in its own right. The Northeast Corridor allows travellers to combine the two cities by rail, with Washington Union Station and New York Penn Station serving as major intercity rail hubs.
A combined itinerary can include Washington DC’s National Mall, Smithsonian museums and monuments before continuing north to New York City for Broadway, museums, observation decks, Central Park and the city’s five boroughs.
Los Angeles Adds A Major Cross-Country Market
Los Angeles ranks among New York City’s leading domestic feeder markets, linking the two largest tourism centres on opposite sides of the United States. Air travel provides the primary connection, with Los Angeles International Airport and the New York metropolitan airport system serving the route.
New York’s 2025 domestic visitation figures show the importance of these major metropolitan markets. The combination of direct air links and large populations creates a substantial flow of leisure and business travellers between California and New York.
US Travel Spending Reaches A New Level
The wider US tourism economy is also entering 2026 with domestic travel at its centre. The U.S. Travel Association forecasts total travel spending of $1.37 trillion in 2026, a 1% inflation-adjusted increase. Domestic spending is projected at $1.20 trillion, while domestic leisure spending is forecast at $908.8 billion.
International inbound travel is also expected to recover. International visitors are projected to generate $178.4 billion in spending during 2026, up 1.7% in inflation-adjusted terms, while international visits are forecast to rise 3.4% to 70.6 million.
Major Events Expand US Travel Demand
The 2026 travel calendar is adding another layer to visitor movement. The FIFA World Cup is being hosted across multiple US cities, supporting international and domestic travel demand. The U.S. Travel Association identifies the tournament as one factor supporting the projected recovery in inbound visitation.
New York City also benefits from its established network of attractions, hotels, restaurants, museums, entertainment venues and transport connections, while Philadelphia and Washington DC provide complementary historical and cultural experiences.
Key Stats
• New York City visitors in 2025: 65 million.
• New York domestic visitors in 2025: 52.4 million.
• New York 2026 visitor forecast: 66.3 million.
• New York 2026 domestic visitor forecast: 53.4 million.
• US travel spending forecast for 2026: $1.37 trillion.
• US domestic travel spending forecast: $1.20 trillion.
• US international visits forecast: 70.6 million.
• Philadelphia summer 2026 airport forecast: 9.4 million travellers.
Travel Details For New York
New York City is served by John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport. Amtrak connects the city with Philadelphia, Washington DC and other Northeast destinations. The New York City Subway, commuter rail services, buses and ferries provide extensive transportation within the metropolitan area.
The US dollar is the local currency. Travellers combining New York with Philadelphia and Washington DC can use rail connections, while Los Angeles and Chicago are generally best incorporated through domestic flights.
Conclusion
New York City’s tourism growth in 2026 is being supported by strong domestic feeder markets, including Philadelphia, Washington DC and Los Angeles, while international visitation is forecast to recover. With US travel spending projected at $1.37 trillion and domestic travel accounting for most expenditure, major cities remain central to the country’s expanding tourism network.
