America Sees Sharp Drop in Foreign Tourists in 2025

International tourism to the US is taking a nosedive in 2025, and experts say this slump might last well past the summer months. Numbers from the National Travel and Tourism Office reveal that visitors from overseas – not counting those from Canada and Mexico – dropped by over 3 million in the first seven months of the year. This marks a 1.6% dip compared to the same time frame in 2024.

Visa Hurdles and Tariffs Blamed for Sharp Drop in International Visitors

Travel industry experts say several things are causing fewer people to visit the US. These include higher travel costs, political problems, and changes in policies under President Donald Trump. People who study travel trends believe that tough tariffs, stricter rules for visas, and harsh words about other countries have made the US seem unwelcoming to foreigners. Tourism officials claim these issues have put off many international travelers who used to think of the US as a great place to vacation, reported the Associated Press.

Buffalo, New York, which draws a steady flow of Canadian tourists in the summer, has taken one of the biggest hits. Even with ad campaigns trying to get people to cross the border Canadian traffic to the area dropped off. Patrick Kaler, who runs Visit Buffalo Niagara, said that while US tourists have helped a bit, the impact of missing Canadian visitors can be felt on the local economy.

Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and other big cities have seen similar slowdowns in areas that depend on tourists from other countries. Early government data shows big drops in people coming from Western Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. For instance, visits from Denmark and Germany have fallen by more than 10%, and Asian markets like Hong Kong and the Philippines have dropped a lot, too.

Industry Urges Policy Shift as US Faces Steep 8% Drop in Foreign Arrivals

The World Travel & Tourism Council brought attention to a worrying pattern earlier this year. They predicted the US would be the only country out of 184 studied where money spent by foreign visitors is likely to drop in 2025. Julia Simpson, who heads the council, said this shows the US is losing its global draw. She pointed out that while many countries are trying to attract travelers, US policies seem to be doing the opposite.

Some areas have coped with the slowdown better than others. On Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula, a strong turnout of domestic visitors has helped make up for the loss in international business. Airlines have also seen more people wanting to buy expensive domestic tickets.

However, this has not done much to fill the gap left by foreign travelers. With predictions pointing to an 8.2% overall drop in international visitors this year, people in the tourism industry are getting ready for a slow comeback. Many are asking the government to think again about its strategy, cautioning that the longer people think the country is not welcoming, the tougher it will be to win back the confidence — and money — of travelers from around the world.