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(TJV NEWS) International tourism to the United States has dropped sharply in 2025, with roughly 4 million fewer overseas visitors traveling to America compared to last year.
According to the Irish Star, the drop represents a 5.5 percent decline in international tourism, while spending by foreign visitors has fallen by more than $8 billion.
The Irish Star reported that, following the collapse in travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, this marks the steepest annual decline in overseas tourism to the United States in nearly 20 years.
The Numbers Behind The Tourism Decline
The Irish Star reported that visitor numbers have fallen from countries across the globe, including:
- Germany
- India
- France
- Australia
- Chile
- China
The biggest decline came from Canada, traditionally one of America’s strongest tourism markets.
According to the Irish Star, CNN cited tourism data from mobile tracking company Cuebiq, which found Canadian travel to major US cities may have fallen by as much as 42 percent over the past year.
That figure is far steeper than the official estimate showing a 25 percent reduction in border crossings.
Why Tourists Are Avoiding The US
The Irish Star reported that travelers cited President Donald Trump’s rhetoric and political tensions surrounding the conflict with Iran as reasons for avoiding travel to the United States.
CNN reported that international visitors are increasingly viewing the US as a less attractive travel destination during a period of global political uncertainty.
The tension has been especially noticeable with Canada.
US-Canada Relations Have Become Increasingly Strained
The Irish Star reported that relations between the United States and Canada have deteriorated since Trump returned to the White House.
Trump has floated the idea of annexing Canada as the 51st state and has threatened tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and automobiles.
According to the Irish Star, Canadian tourism to Las Vegas, one of the most popular US destinations for Canadian travelers, has dropped sharply during the current trade dispute.
After Trump imposed tariffs on Canada last year, Canadian visits dropped 17 percent, contributing to a 7.5 percent overall decline in tourism, Politico reported, according to the Irish Star.
Iran Tensions May Also Be Playing A Role
The Irish Star reported that Trump’s conflict with Iran has pushed global energy prices higher, including in Canada.
This has added further strain to cross-border relations.
A February Politico poll cited by the Irish Star found that many Canadians now view the US as an unreliable partner and ally.
The same poll found Canadians were more likely than Europeans to identify the US ahead of Russia as a threat to global peace.
Global Travel Is Rising — But Not To America
The tourism slump is especially notable because international travel is growing worldwide.
The Irish Star reported that the World Travel and Tourism Council found that roughly 80 million more people traveled internationally in 2025 compared to the previous year.
Much of that increase, however, bypassed the United States.
CNN Expert Warns Of Long-Term Damage
The Irish Star highlighted concerns raised by Juliette Kayyem, faculty chair of the Homeland Security Project at Harvard Kennedy School.
“We used to be a country that others wanted to emulate. That narrative no longer exists,” Kayyem told CNN, according to the Irish Star.
She added: “The long-term harm is that the world will not know America… the narrative of the United States is now a country that is at best, not to be respected, and at worst, a democracy that is floundering.”
What Happens Next
The Irish Star reported that the steep tourism decline could have major consequences for airlines, hotels, restaurants, and major tourism hubs across the United States.
With international travel booming globally but bypassing America, officials will now be watching closely to see whether the decline continues through the rest of 2025
