October 13, 2025
Sydney Martinez, Visit Seattle
(206) 461-5852 | [email protected]
Kau’ilani Robinson, Visit Seattle
(206) 251-8920 | [email protected]
Evolving international visitation and trends highlight Seattle’s resilience and global potential
SEATTLE – Seattle welcomed 2.4 million international visitors in 2024, according to newly finalized data from Tourism Economics. The city’s vibrant culture, natural beauty, and global connectivity continue to attract visitors, with international visitation showing signs of diversification amid a complex global travel landscape.
Canada remained Seattle’s leading international market, contributing 1.7 million visitors in 2024, accounting for 73.3% of overall international visitation. China followed with 106,200 visitors, while India rose to the top three with 74,700 visitors, up from sixth in 2019. Other top markets included the United Kingdom, South Korea, Germany, Japan, Australia, France, and Taiwan.
Total visitor spending reached a record-setting $8.8 billion in 2024—a 7.2% increase from 2023 and 8.3% above pre-covid 2019 levels:
Canada led international spending with $585.6 million, followed by China ($75.3 million) and India ($46.9 million), reflecting its growing influence in Seattle’s visitor economy. Notably, Ukraine entered the top 10 spenders list ($10.2 million), jumping 10 spots from 2019.
Seattle’s international visitor profile continues to reflect dynamic global trends. The notable rise in visitation and spending from India signals the city’s growing relevance and appeal within South Asian markets. Meanwhile, shifts in country rankings—such as increased activity from Germany and France, alongside modest changes from South Korea and Japan—highlight evolving travel behaviors and cost considerations. These developments present timely opportunities to reinforce Seattle’s global connections and build upon established relationships across key international markets.
However, international travel to Seattle continues to face significant challenges. A recent Tourism Economics forecast projects a 26.9% decline in international overnight visitation to the city in 2025, the steepest drop among major U.S. destinations, with 99% of that decline driven by reduced Canadian travel. These trends, compounded by policy headwinds such as heightened visa scrutiny and new interview requirements, are expected to shape travel patterns throughout the rest of the year and beyond. Despite this, Washington is projected to see a comparatively moderate 20% decrease in Canadian visitor spending, about $10 per capita, according to Tourism Economics. This suggests that while the impact is notable, Washington is faring better than other northern border states and is not among the hardest hit by the downturn in Canadian travel.
“Seattle’s global appeal continues to grow and evolve, even as the tourism industry navigates ongoing challenges,” said Tammy Canavan, President and CEO of Visit Seattle. “We’re encouraged by the strong visitor engagement we saw in 2024, which reflects the dedication of our tourism and hospitality partners. International visitors remain a vital part of our visitor economy, and we look forward to welcoming them in greater numbers in the coming years.”
Looking ahead, Seattle is well positioned to welcome both domestic and international visitors in 2026 and beyond. With new global connections including direct flights from Copenhagen via Scandinavian Airlines, resumed service from Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific, and expanded routes to Tokyo, Seoul, London, Rome, and more, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is set to service over 60 international routes in 2026. Strategic efforts will focus on the flight expansions as well as FIFA World Cup™, where Seattle and Washington state is expected to host up to 750,000 people engaging in matches, Fan Fest celebrations and related activities. These initiatives will expand global partnerships, enhance visitor experiences, and promote sustainable, inclusive travel through campaigns that spotlight Seattle’s outdoor adventures, culinary gems, effortless exploration, and vibrant arts and culture scene.
Dive deeper into Seattle’s 2024 international visitation data here.
About Visit Seattle
Visit Seattle has served as the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Seattle and King County for more than 50 years. A 501(c)(6) organization, Visit Seattle enhances the economic prosperity of the region through global destination branding along with competitive programs and campaigns in leisure travel marketing, convention sales, and overseas tourism development. Visit visitseattle.org.
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