New research by travel analysts ForwardKeys reveals that after Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, international arrivals fell 56.9% during the impact period from August 25-31.

Despite the airport reopening within days of the hurricane, it took a further six weeks until visitor arrivals returned to pre-hurricane levels.

Similarly in Miami, international arrivals fell 36.7% during the Hurricane Irma’s impact period from September 7-17 and only returned to pre-hurricane levels nine weeks after the event.

The negative impact on their respective states, Texas and Florida was similar but not quite so pronounced, with international arrivals during the hurricane impact period down 23.4% in Texas and down 31.9% in Florida.

Looking at the 10-week period following the hurricanes, both Houston and Miami suffered a double-digit decline in international visitors, with Houston down 11.6% and Miami 12.8%.

In Texas, Dallas and Austin actually benefited when Houston limited its airport operations.

During the hurricane impact period, international arrivals in Dallas jumped 13.3% and in Austin 23.1%.

However, in the aftermath, travel to all three Texas airports has fallen below pre-hurricane levels.

ForwardKeys chief executive Olivier Jager said: "One would not expect the travel disruption caused by even a very bad storm, to a major first-world city, to last more than a few days.

“So, when you see the impact of these hurricanes on international visitor arrivals, enduring for several weeks, it underlines the severity of the damage they caused.”