International tourism to the United States has registered a decline, including seven consecutive months of falling visitor numbers [1].
This downturn suggests a divergence between the U.S. and global tourism trends, potentially impacting the broader economy as the nation struggles to attract foreign travelers.
Data shows that November 2025 marked the seventh month of this decline [1]. Analysts said the drop is due to several factors, including a stronger U.S. dollar, government policies, and geopolitical tensions [3, 4]. These pressures have made travel to the U.S. more expensive for international visitors while complicating the logistics of entry.
Despite the trend of fewer visitors, spending remains high in certain sectors. International visitors spent more than US$20.9 billion in May 2026 [2]. This indicates that while fewer people are visiting, those who do travel to the U.S. are spending significant amounts of money.
Regional data also reveals pockets of resilience. New York City reported 65 million visitors in 2025 [5]. This influx generated an economic impact of US$84.7 billion [5]. This growth in the New York City tourism sector occurred despite the overall national drop in international arrivals [5].
Industry observers said the U.S. continues to move in the opposite direction of the rest of the world, where international tourism is generally advancing [4]. The combination of market revisions and economic headwinds continues to shape the trajectory of foreign arrivals.
“International tourism to the United States has registered a decline, including seven consecutive months of falling visitor numbers.”
The contrast between falling visitor counts and high spending suggests a shift toward high-value tourism. While the U.S. is losing volume due to currency strength and political friction, the economic impact is partially mitigated by wealthier travelers and the enduring draw of primary hubs like New York City. However, the long-term trend of declining arrivals relative to global growth could signal a loss of competitiveness as a top-tier global destination.
