Published on October 4, 2025
In 2025, Las Vegas, California, and Florida are experiencing significant declines in international visitors, while domestic leisure travel across the United States continues to surge. The decrease in foreign arrivals, particularly from Canada and Mexico, reflects economic shifts, evolving travel advisories, and changes in international relations. Meanwhile, American tourists are maintaining strong demand for vacations, driving record spending in hotels, resorts, and attractions, and keeping the U.S. tourism sector resilient despite global travel fluctuations.
Overall, international travel to the United States is slowing this year, yet domestic tourism remains robust. According to the U.S. Travel Association, American travelers continue to be the primary force sustaining the nation’s tourism industry, generating substantial revenue even in the face of inflation and broader economic uncertainty.

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The U.S. Travel Association’s latest fall travel forecast projects total travel spending in the country to reach $1.35 trillion this year, representing a modest 1.1% increase. While domestic tourism remains robust, international arrivals are declining, with the overall number of foreign visitors expected to drop 6.3% in 2025. Much of this decline is attributed to reduced travel from Canada, historically one of the largest sources of international tourists to the U.S.
Major tourism hubs across the nation are reporting significant drops in Canadian visitors this year. Las Vegas, for example, has experienced a 7.8% decrease in overall visitor volume compared to last year, accompanied by a 6.4% decline in hotel room occupancy. Canadian tourists, who make up a substantial portion of international visitors to the city, are down 20% year to date. California is experiencing a similar trend, with international visitation projected to fall 9.2% in 2025. This decline is largely driven by a 17% decrease in Canadian arrivals and a 10% reduction in visitors from Mexico. Florida, meanwhile, has maintained relatively steady tourism numbers overall; however, Canadian travelers dropped 16.9% in the first quarter and 20% in the second quarter, indicating a sustained slowdown in arrivals from Canada.

The decline in Canadian travel is linked to several economic and policy factors, including tariffs and evolving international relations, prompting some travelers to opt for domestic vacations rather than visiting the U.S. Despite these challenges, U.S. tourism officials emphasize that domestic travelers are helping offset the shortfall in international arrivals. Americans’ strong demand for leisure travel continues to fuel spending across cities, resorts, and attractions nationwide, supporting local economies and hospitality sectors.
Looking ahead, the U.S. Travel Association expects international tourism to rebound over the coming years, spurred by major events and global sporting spectacles. The FIFA 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across multiple U.S. cities, is projected to significantly increase inbound travel. In addition, the 250th Anniversary of the United States, the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, future Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cups, and the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City are all expected to drive higher international visitation. The association forecasts international travel to grow by 3.7% next year, with visitor numbers potentially reaching a record 81.9 million by 2029.

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California’s tourism authorities are also anticipating a boost in both domestic and international travel starting in 2026. The state expects tourism to increase by 2.8% during the FIFA World Cup, by 2.2% in 2027 when Los Angeles hosts the Super Bowl, and by 2.3% in 2028 for the Olympic Games. These events are seen as key opportunities to reinvigorate international tourism and elevate the U.S. as a premier travel destination.
In preparation for the anticipated influx of international visitors for the World Cup and other major events, the U.S. State Department is taking proactive measures to expand visa processing capabilities. Additional staffing will be deployed to select U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide to accommodate the expected surge in visa applications. Hundreds of consular officers will be assigned to designated countries to manage visa interviews, with specific locations to be determined once the final list of the 48 participating World Cup teams is confirmed.
Las Vegas, California, and Florida are seeing steep drops in international visitors, especially from Canada and Mexico, while booming domestic leisure travel drives record tourism spending and keeps the U.S. travel industry resilient.
While international arrivals are currently down, the resilience of domestic travel underscores the continued strength of the U.S. tourism sector. Travelers are prioritizing vacations, leisure experiences, and major events, keeping hotels, attractions, and local economies busy. Tourism officials remain optimistic that the combination of domestic demand and upcoming international events will help restore visitor numbers and spending to historic levels over the next few years.

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Tags: California, domestic tourism, florida, Las Vegas, Travel News

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