The United States is experiencing an 8.2% decline in international tourism in 2025.

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This is resulting in a $12.5 billion loss in visitor spending and making it the only major economy facing such a downturn.

Factors contributing to this decline include geopolitical tensions, rising travel costs, and policy shifts that have deterred foreign visitors.

READ: Orange County sees record tourism tax collections

While tourism from Central and South America has increased, countries like India and China have seen a decline in visitors to the US.

Cities like Seattle, Portland, and Detroit are seeing sharp drops in tourist numbers, with projections suggesting a delayed recovery to pre-pandemic levels.

The tourism slump is expected to have ripple effects on ancillary industries and job losses, prompting calls for urgent reforms such as visa waivers and targeted promotions to rebuild the U.S.’s appeal as a global destination.

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