With five per cent more international trips, outbound travel from the Americas has shown solid growth in 2018 with a plus of 5 per cent and in contrast to the previous year, where North American growth exceeded Latin America, the first eight months of 2018 reflected the contrary.

While North American outbound travel increased by four per cent, Latin America was twice as strong with eight per cent more international trips.

Looking at 2019, the latest results of the World Travel Monitor® by IPK International point to an uplift due to stronger growth in North America.

Europe remains growth driver for North American outbound travel

Overall, North America showed solid increases with a plus of four per cent in international travel during the first eight months of this year, which was in line with the forecasts of last year’s World Travel Monitor®. Despite lower growth rates compared to last year, Europe remained a growth driver.

Trips by North Americas to Europe increased by eight per cent during the first eight months of 2018. Among the destinations, benefiting most from these increases were Spain and Italy, while trips to the UK stagnated. Trips to Asia grew solidly with a plus of five per cent, while inner-American travel rose by three per cent.

The strong growth of North American outbound travel was evenly distributed between holidays, visits to friends and relatives (VFRs) as well as business trips. While business trips underperformed worldwide, North America showed opposing developments with a six per cent increase.

However, as in other parts of world, this growth was due to an increase of promotable business trips (MICE), while traditional business trips continued on a downward trend.

Within the holiday segment, growth distribution was also quite evenly distributed. Cruises reported the strongest increase of eight per cent. Tour holidays increased by five per cent, city trips by four per cent and sun & beach holidays by three per cent.

Overall, the average length of outbound trips by North Americans decreased slightly, while spending was one per cent higher.

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