Research library
A source-backed reference for writers, planners, and travel professionals. Last updated October 6, 2026.
A clear view of the market
Family travel decisions are shaped by real priorities, from the cost of a trip to the details that make a stay feel right for every age. This page gathers the latest publicly available findings alongside official U.S. tourism data, with a direct source for every number.
The family findings below reflect surveyed parents. The national tourism figures come from U.S. government sources and use their stated reporting years.
Family travel findings
92%
This is a stated intention from the Family Travel Association’s 2025 U.S. Family Travel Survey, not a forecast of completed trips.
Family Travel Association, 2025 U.S. Family Travel Survey$8,052
The Family Travel Association reported this was about 20% higher than the prior year among its respondents.
Family Travel Association, Parent Survey Findings, 202539%
Another 42% expected to spend about the same and 16% expected to spend less. These are survey responses, not market-wide spending totals.
Family Travel Association, Parent Survey Findings, 202568%
Proximity to attractions and activities followed at 59%, then safety and security at 54%.
Family Travel Association, Parent Survey Findings, 202561%
The same survey summary says 19% had used an advisor in the prior three years, leaving a meaningful gap between interest and past use.
Family Travel Association, 2025 U.S. Family Travel SurveyU.S. tourism context
These national measures offer helpful context for the travel choices families make, from where they go to the businesses and communities their trips support.
$2.64T
The Bureau of Economic Analysis reports $1.52 trillion in direct output and $1.12 trillion in indirect output for that year.
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Travel and Tourism Satellite Account, 2023 data10.0M
That total includes 6.5 million direct tourism jobs and 3.6 million indirect jobs, as reported by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Travel and Tourism Satellite Account, 2023 data72.4M
The National Travel and Tourism Office reported this was 9.1% above 2023 and equal to 91% of 2019 visitation.
National Travel and Tourism Office, 2024 annual international travel volume107.7M
The National Travel and Tourism Office reported this was 9.2% higher than 2023 and 108% of 2019 departures.
National Travel and Tourism Office, 2024 annual international travel volumeMethodology and sources
Every statistic is linked to its original publisher. Survey results describe the respondents surveyed and should not be read as a count of every U.S. family. Government figures use the definitions and reporting periods of the named agency.
We review this reference monthly and update it when a primary source publishes newer data or a source changes.
Citing this resource
Suggested citation: Miles of Smiles Travel LLC. “Family Travel Statistics and U.S. Tourism Data.” Updated October 6, 2026. https://milesofsmilestravel.com/family-travel-statistics
For a specific figure, link directly to its heading and include the original source named with it.
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