In 2025, the United States experienced a decline in international visitors, with approximately 4 million fewer travelers compared to the previous year, representing a 5.5 percent drop in overseas tourism. Spending by foreign visitors also decreased by over $8 billion. This decline marks the steepest annual drop in international tourism in nearly 20 years, following a slump during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visitor numbers from various countries, including Germany, India, France, Australia, Chile, and China, have decreased, with the most significant reduction coming from Canada. According to data from mobile tracking company Cuebiq, Canadian travel to major U.S. cities may have decreased by as much as 42 percent over the past year, surpassing the official estimate of a 25 percent reduction in border crossings.
Travelers have cited political factors, including President Donald Trump's rhetoric and policies, as reasons for avoiding the U.S. The relationship between the U.S. and Canada has reportedly soured, with Trump suggesting the annexation of Canada and imposing tariffs on Canadian goods. A February poll indicated that many Canadians view the U.S. as an unreliable partner, with a significant number identifying it as a threat to global peace.
Despite the decline in U.S. tourism, the World Travel and Tourism Council reported an overall increase in international travel, with approximately 80 million more people traveling globally in 2025 compared to the previous year. Juliette Kayyem, faculty chair of the Homeland Security Project at Harvard Kennedy School, commented on the long-term implications of this decline for America's global image.
