Indiana tops Oregon and New Hampshire in US tourism spending for 2026
Indiana records $16.9 billion in direct tourism spending for 2026, surpassing Oregon's $14.6 billion and New Hampshire's $7.5 billion, highlighting divergent growth patterns across the three states.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- Indiana's tourism spending now exceeds Oregon and New Hampshire
- Timing
- Data cover the 2025–2026 period
- Who is affected
- Travelers and businesses in Indiana, Oregon and New Hampshire
The details
Indiana tourism performance
Indiana attracted a benchmark of 83 million annual visitors and generated $16.9 billion in direct tourism spending in 2026. The surge is linked to major sporting events, conventions and heritage programming such as America 250.
- Visitor growth trend of 1.9 % year‑on‑year
- Over 210,000 jobs supported by tourism
Oregon tourism performance
Oregon welcomed 40.7 million overnight visitors in 2025, delivering $14.6 billion in direct spending. In 2026 the state emphasized culinary, wine and Indigenous cultural experiences while maintaining steady domestic demand.
- Overnight visitor growth of 0.25 % YoY
- 122,920 tourism jobs and $741 million in state taxes
New Hampshire tourism performance
New Hampshire recorded roughly 14.3 million visitors in 2025, producing $7.5 billion in direct spending. The 2026 outlook focuses on strong summer and autumn peaks, with 4.8 million summer and 3.9 million fall visitors projected.
- Overseas arrivals rose 14.8 % to 93,000 in 2025
- Approximately 50,000 tourism jobs statewide
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Travelers planning trips to Indiana can expect higher event‑driven activity in 2026
- Oregon visitors may find more culinary and wine‑focused offerings during their stay
- New Hampshire travelers should anticipate peak‑season crowds in summer and autumn
Cost and documents
- No new fees or documentation requirements are mentioned for any of the three states
- Existing travel budgets may need adjustment for higher spending patterns in Indiana
What you need to do
- Monitor local event calendars for Indiana to align travel dates with major championships
- Check restaurant and winery reservation policies in Oregon ahead of visits
- Plan accommodation early for New Hampshire's summer and fall peak periods
Who this affects
-
Indiana visitors
Indiana recorded the highest tourism spending among the three states in 2026
What to do Consider event calendars and higher per‑visitor spend when budgeting
-
Oregon visitors
Oregon maintained strong domestic demand and shifted focus to culinary tourism
What to do Look for food‑ and wine‑related experiences and plan accordingly
-
New Hampshire visitors
New Hampshire’s spending is driven by seasonal summer and autumn tourism
What to do Book lodging early for peak seasons and expect higher seasonal yields
Frequently asked questions
How much tourism spending did Indiana generate in 2026?
Indiana generated $16.9 billion in direct tourism spending in 2026, the highest among the three states highlighted.
What drove Indiana's tourism growth in 2026?
Major sporting championships, corporate conventions and America 250 heritage programming boosted visitor numbers and per‑visitor spending in Indiana.
How does Oregon's tourism spending compare to Indiana's?
Oregon recorded $14.6 billion in direct tourism spending, which is lower than Indiana's $16.9 billion for the same period.
What are the peak tourism seasons in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire sees peak tourism in summer with 4.8 million visitors and in autumn with 3.9 million visitors, driving the bulk of its spending.
Did any new travel fees or document requirements appear for these states?
The report does not mention any new fees or documentation requirements for travelers to Indiana, Oregon or New Hampshire.
