The United States is experiencing a significant downturn in international tourism, with last year marking the only year the country recorded a decline in foreign visitors.
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, international arrivals to the U.S. fell 6 percent in 2025, even as global travel rebounded elsewhere. The slowdown has continued into 2026, with inbound travel down 4.8 percent in January compared to the same month a year earlier. Industry leaders estimate that roughly 11 million fewer international travelers are visiting the country, translating into billions of dollars in lost spending.
Canada, traditionally the second-largest source of visitors after Mexico, has seen the sharpest pullback. Canadian arrivals dropped 28 percent in January compared to January 2024. In Florida, a winter hub for Canadian travelers, state estimates show a 14.7 percent decline in Canadian visitors last year. Overall visitation to Florida slipped 1.2 percent, falling to 12.2 million from 12.35 million, according to Visit Florida.
Airlines have responded to the weakening demand. WestJet has reduced summer service to several U.S. destinations, including Orlando, and Air Transat announced it will suspend flights to Florida this summer. Major tourism operators are also adjusting expectations. Disney executives recently warned investors of international visitation headwinds at U.S. theme parks, including Walt Disney World.
Beyond Canada, key European markets are also cooling. Germany and France recorded notable declines in travel to the United States, while Britain, the largest long-haul market, posted marginal growth of 0.5 percent. Booking data from flight analytics firm Cirium shows July reservations from Europe to the United States down 14.2 percent compared to last year. French tour operator sales to U.S. destinations fell nearly 40 percent in January.
Industry analysts point to a combination of political uncertainty, stricter immigration enforcement and new travel requirements. The Trump administration has introduced a $250 visa integrity fee for certain non-immigrant visas, expanded electronic device searches at borders, and proposed requiring up to five years of social media history for some travelers seeking electronic authorization. Germany recently updated its travel advisory for the United States, citing risks related to political violence and immigration enforcement.
Looking ahead, major events could offer a boost. The United States will host matches during the upcoming FIFA World Cup and is preparing nationwide celebrations for the country’s 250th anniversary and the Route 66 Centennial. Oxford Economics projects a modest 3.9 percent growth in international inbound travel this year, though analysts caution that ongoing policy uncertainty may limit gains and leave the U.S. trailing other global destinations once again.
Source: Travel and Tourism Council, NYT