Published on February 1, 2026
By: Paramita Sarkar
In 2025, several popular U.S. destinations, including Kalispell, Hawaii, Florida, and Guam, witnessed a significant decline in international tourism. Government reports from federal, state, and local sources attribute this downturn to a mix of economic challenges, changing travel policies, and geopolitical tensions.
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the 2025 travel trends based on official data.

What’s Happening?

International travel to key U.S. destinations has faced a sharp drop, particularly affecting areas like Kalispell, Hawaii, Florida, and Guam. According to reports from local and federal tourism departments, foreign visitor numbers, especially from Canada, have significantly decreased. In particular, Kalispell, Montana, known for its proximity to Glacier National Park, saw a drastic reduction in Canadian travelers. Other states like Hawaii, Florida, and even Guam faced similar declines.

Where is This Happening?

• Kalispell, Montana: A major tourism hub for visitors to Glacier National Park, Kalispell has experienced a marked reduction in international tourism, primarily due to fewer Canadian travelers.
• Hawaii: While U.S. domestic visitors are still frequenting the islands, international arrivals, particularly from Canada, have dwindled.
• Florida: The state has witnessed a decline in its “snowbird” markets, with Canadian visitors staying home amid rising costs and a weakened exchange rate.
• Guam: Despite early recovery, Guam has struggled with visitor numbers, especially from key Asian markets.

When Did This Happen?

The downturn became particularly evident in 2025. By mid-year, various government bodies began to report decreases in international tourist numbers, especially from Canada. For example, data from January to October 2025 indicated a 20% decrease in U.S.-Canada border crossings, which significantly impacted Kalispell’s tourism. Meanwhile, Hawaii saw a drop of 4.3% in visitor arrivals in December 2025 compared to the same month in 2024.

Why is This Happening?

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Several interconnected factors are contributing to the decline in international travel to these regions. In the case of Kalispell, the sharp fall in Canadian visits is the result of a weakened Canadian dollar and stricter U.S. border policies. The rise of economic pressures, such as higher inflation rates and ongoing trade tensions, particularly in the U.S.-Canada relationship, have deterred travel from Canada.
Hawaii, while not facing as sharp a drop, still felt the effects of a reduced number of visitors from Canada (-14%) and the U.S. West (-4.8%). Meanwhile, Florida’s tourism industry has been affected by a 15.5% drop in Canadian visitation in 2025, attributed to political and economic issues. For Guam, the decline in visitors can be linked to competition from neighboring regions and slow recovery in key Asian markets.

How Are Governments Responding?

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Governments at various levels have acknowledged the issue and are introducing initiatives to try and boost tourism. In Kalispell, the Kalispell Tourism Business Improvement District (Discover Kalispell) launched the Canadian Welcome Pass in late 2025, aimed at offering discounts and perks to returning Canadian visitors. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of the Interior introduced higher entry fees to national parks, which have been viewed as another barrier to entry for international travelers.
In Hawaii, the state is focusing on maintaining high spending despite the drop in arrivals, while Florida is addressing the slump by trying to attract domestic tourists to fill the gap. For Guam, recovery strategies are focused on diversifying markets and recovering momentum with regional competitors.

What’s the Impact?

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The financial impact of these declines has been felt across various sectors. Kalispell alone saw a 31% decrease in total international spending in 2025, with lodging and dining revenues taking a particularly heavy hit. In Hawaii, the decline in physical arrivals has also resulted in a contraction of spending from international visitors, although the state continues to see healthy domestic visitation.
Florida’s tourism industry is underperforming in its traditionally strong international markets, with Canadian tourists showing reluctance to visit due to the weakening dollar and increased political tensions. Guam, facing competition from neighboring regions, has struggled to maintain its recovery momentum post-pandemic, with a notable drop in visitor numbers from key Asian markets.

Conclusion

The decline in international travel to Kalispell, Hawaii, Florida, and Guam is a clear signal of the evolving landscape of U.S. tourism. Government sources confirm that a combination of policy shifts, economic factors, and geopolitical tensions are to blame. As recovery efforts unfold across these regions, it remains to be seen how successful they will be in reversing these trends.
As the global tourism environment continues to shift, it’s important to keep an eye on how these destinations adapt and how travelers navigate these new challenges in the years ahead.

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Tags: Canadian tourism drop 2025, International travel decline 2025, Kalispell travel decline, U.S. border travel impact 2025, U.S. tourism statistics 2025

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