US International Tourism Falls 5.5% in 2025, Erasing $8.4 Billion in Visitor Spending
Updated
Updated · CNN International · May 25
US International Tourism Falls 5.5% in 2025, Erasing $8.4 Billion in Visitor Spending
3 articles · Updated · CNN International · May 25
Four million fewer foreign visitors came to the US in 2025 than in 2024, driving the first annual tourism decline since the pandemic and the steepest non-2020 drop in two decades.
Travelers and analysts tied the pullback to Trump-era rhetoric and policies, proposed new visa costs, Brand USA funding cuts, and the Iran war’s impact on jet fuel prices and air routes.
Canada accounted for most of the decline: official border crossings fell 25%, cell-phone data showed visits to US metro areas down as much as 42%, and tour operators in Seattle and Santa Monica reported layoffs and revenue collapses.
The US downturn stood out globally as international travel rose by 80 million trips in 2025, while overseas arrivals to the US were still down 4.3% through April and may not regain pre-pandemic levels until 2029.
World Cup matches could bring about 1 million visitors this year, but analysts say that boost will not offset 2025 losses, leaving pressure on Washington to restore tourism marketing and soften its message abroad.
As global travel booms, what specific US policies caused four million visitors to choose other destinations last year?
With new visa fees and airport chaos, can the U.S. convince global travelers it is still a welcoming destination?