Americans Surge Into Europe With Record Travel Volumes, Boosting Economies and Sparking Protests: Report

Americans are reportedly flocking to European destinations in record numbers.

The U.S. Department of State issued over 27 million passports in fiscal 2025, marking the highest annual total ever recorded, reports The Wall Street Journal.

This expansion is partly due to domestic wealth and broader passport access.

Portugal hosted nearly five times more American visitors than a decade prior and Greece welcomed four times as many.

Travelers from the U.S. spend heavily, with daily averages near $350 in Spain compared to lower figures from other nationalities, and they often extend stays in destinations like Greece.

Although the influx is good for some businesses, it has triggered large demonstrations in Mallorca and Barcelona against overtourism effects on housing costs and daily life.

Authorities in some countries are also implementing measures like caps on vacation rentals, new visitor fees and restrictions on cruise arrivals to ease burdens.

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