The United States is experiencing a notable decline in international tourism, raising concerns about its economic impact.
While global tourism continues to expand elsewhere, industry leaders argue that urgent policy reforms are needed to restore the U.S.’s competitiveness—simplifying entry procedures, addressing cost barriers and rebuilding the country’s image as a welcoming destination.
The U.S. is projected to lose approximately $12.5 billion in international visitor spending in 2025, despite strong worldwide demand for travel.
According to projections by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), international visitor spending in the United States is expected to fall to below $169 billion in 2025.
Arrivals from key markets, including Canada, Europe and Asia, have fallen, placing the United States among a small number of countries moving against the global trend.
In contrast, 183 countries recorded growth in tourism this year, underscoring the scale of the U.S. slowdown.
The repercussions extend well beyond visitor numbers. Tourism supports millions of jobs across the country, and a contraction of this magnitude threatens hundreds of thousands of workers in sectors such as hospitality, aviation, restaurants, hotels and resorts, entertainment, theme parks and local small businesses. Major tourism-dependent states — including California, Florida, Nevada, New York and Hawaii — are expected to be among the most affected.
Industry analysts warn that reduced international spending quickly translates into lower bookings, fewer working hours, job losses and pressure on local economies.
As global travel reaches record levels, experts are increasingly questioning why the United States is losing ground while the rest of the world continues to advance.
At the same time, inbound international arrivals are forecast to decline by 6.3 percent, placing the U.S. among a small group of countries moving against the global tourism growth trend.
Combined with higher airfare, accommodation costs and currency pressures, the overall expense of traveling to the U.S. has pushed many tourists toward more affordable and hassle-free alternatives.
Without decisive action, they caution, the United States risks falling further behind in an increasingly competitive global travel market.
