Travel to or within the U.S. grew 2 percent year over year in March, according to the U.S. Travel Association's Travel Trends Index. Domestic travel grew 2.8 percent year over year, the result of a firm leisure growth rate of 3.2 percent and a lukewarm business travel growth rate of 2 percent. Domestic travel will grow 2 percent year over year from April through September, according to USTA. In that period, domestic business travel will grow 1.6 percent and domestic leisure will grow 2.2 percent as consumer spending, vacation travel and business investment continue to slow.
International inbound travel to the U.S. fell 5.4 percent year over year in March, its weakest growth rate since 2015. USTA cited the late Easter holiday as the primary reason for the magnitude of the decline. USTA also said weak global trade and economic growth in the first quarter also played a role, though both are expected to improve in the second half of the year. Under better economic conditions, international inbound travel will grow at 1.4 percent year over year from April through September.
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