With international visits plunging and domestic travel slowing, the U.S. faces a $10 billion tourism blow – and no state will be spared
Apr 29, 2025
The number of overseas visitors to the US fell by 11.6% in March compared to the previous year, with a sharp 17.2% drop from Western Europe. Since much of the negative publicity about detentions and deportations began mid-March, tourism is expected to decline even further, potentially devastating the industry.
Key takeaways
- Canadian travel to the US has sharply declined, with major airlines cutting flights and car visits down 32%.
- 2025 was expected to be a recovery year for US tourism after COVID-19, but the outlook has reversed dramatically.
- Tourism Economics now projects a 12% drop in international travel, with an estimated $10 billion loss in spending.
- Traveler sentiment is highly sensitive to political tensions and negative perceptions, especially after high-profile detentions.
- Tourism hubs like New York City and Los Angeles are seeing significant drops in ticket sales and hotel bookings.
- Trump downplays the decline, but industry leaders warn the impacts will ripple across many sectors, not just tourism.
- Domestic travel is also expected to decline due to the trade war’s economic effects, reducing disposable income.
- All states – regardless of political leaning – will suffer, with places like Florida, Texas, California, and New York being especially vulnerable.
Get the full story at The Guardian
