U.S. Tourism Faces Decline as International Visitors Drop Sharply

International travel to the United States is experiencing a significant downturn, with experts suggesting that this trend may continue beyond the summer months. Various tourist destinations across the country, from popular cities to smaller border towns, are reporting a marked decline in foreign visitors.

This decline is evident in cities such as Buffalo, New York, where local officials had hoped a marketing campaign would attract Canadian tourists this summer. The campaign, which included a giveaway of a $500 gift card, initially generated excitement, drawing over 1,000 entries. Nevertheless, by the end of July, the anticipated influx of Canadian visitors failed to materialize, reflecting a broader national trend.

According to Patrick Kaler, CEO of the tourism organization Visit Buffalo Niagara, the drop in visitors is disheartening and may be linked to political rhetoric and policies that have alienated potential travelers. “To see the traffic drop off so significantly, especially because of rhetoric that can be changed, is so disheartening,” Kaler stated.

Forecasts Indicate Continued Declines in Travel

The World Travel & Tourism Council highlighted that the U.S. is projected to be the only country among 184 studied where foreign visitor spending may decline in 2025. Julia Simpson, the council’s president and CEO, noted, “The world’s biggest travel and tourism economy is heading in the wrong direction. While other nations are rolling out the welcome mat, the U.S. government is putting up the ‘closed’ sign.”

A report from Tourism Economics has predicted an 8.2% decrease in international arrivals to the U.S. in 2025, an improvement from an earlier forecast of 9.4% but still falling short of pre-pandemic visitor numbers. The firm emphasized that this sentiment has created a significant drag on travel, as evidenced by a noticeable slowdown in airline bookings during May, June, and July.

Deborah Friedland, managing director of the Eisner Advisory Group, pointed to multiple factors affecting the U.S. travel industry, including rising travel costs and ongoing geopolitical tensions. Since returning to office, former President Donald Trump has reinstated some hard-line policies, including a travel ban affecting primarily African and Middle Eastern countries. These policies, along with increased tariffs, have contributed to a perception among international travelers that they are unwelcome in the U.S.

Impact on Events and Tourist Arrivals

This climate of perceived hostility has led some event organizers to reconsider hosting their gatherings in the U.S. For instance, Tena Morales, co-producer of the International Lindy Hop Championships, noted that international competitors have withdrawn from the event scheduled for this month in Harlem, New York, citing feelings of unwelcomeness. Approximately half of the attendees typically come from outside the U.S., primarily from Canada and France.

In Washington, D.C., where the Trump administration has taken notable security measures, local tourism officials anticipate a 5.1% decline in international visitors this year. The marketing organization Destination DC has announced plans to combat negative perceptions by launching a campaign featuring local residents to showcase the city’s welcoming side.

Preliminary data from the National Travel and Tourism Office confirms a decline in international arrivals during the first seven months of the year. There was a drop of over 3 million overseas visitors, a 1.6% decrease compared to the same period in the previous year. Notably, arrivals from Western Europe and Asia fell sharply, with visitors from Denmark decreasing by 19%, Germany by 10%, and France by 6.6%.

Conversely, there were increases in visitors from countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Italy, and Japan, indicating that not all regions are experiencing the same downturn.

Despite the challenges faced by many U.S. destinations, some areas have managed to attract tourists. On the Door Peninsula in eastern Wisconsin, local businesses reported increased foot traffic during the summer months, according to Jon Jarosh of Destination Door County.

Executives from major U.S. airlines noted that demand for domestic flights is improving, with bookings for the upcoming Labor Day weekend expected to be the busiest in 15 years. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, bookings for U.S. airlines were up by 2% compared to 2024, during the long holiday weekend starting on Thursday.

As the summer season draws to a close, the absence of Canadian visitors remains a stark reality in Buffalo. Last year, Canadians accounted for over 20.2 million visitors to the U.S., more than any other nationality. However, recent statistics indicate that fewer Canadians are making the trip south, with a 37% decline in car trips and a 26% drop in air travel return trips during July compared to the previous year.

In response to this shift, Visit Buffalo Niagara has redirected its marketing efforts towards cities such as Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago. Kaler emphasized the importance of Canadian visitors, stating, “We will always welcome Canadians back when the time is right. I don’t want Canadians to feel like we see them as just dollar signs or a transaction at our cash registers. They mean more to us than that.”