Friday, June 6, 2025
Los Angeles goes arm in arm with New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Florida in 2025 as a sharp and widespread drop in international tourism unites America’s most iconic destinations in a shared struggle to bring back global travelers. The downturn isn’t driven by one event or one country—it’s the result of compounding factors: from confusing border policies and stricter visa checks to economic pressures, wildfire fears, and growing hesitation from traditional markets like Canada and Europe.
With Canada pulling back travel amid political tension and a weak currency, and travelers across Europe and Asia second-guessing trips to the U.S., these cities—once overflowing with global visitors—are now recalibrating their strategies and fighting to keep their tourism economies alive. From Los Angeles’ wildfire recovery to Vegas’ slipping casino revenues and New York’s vanishing international crowds, the decline is hitting hard across the board, reshaping what was supposed to be a year of rebound into one of reckoning.

Los Angeles Struggles to Shake Off Wildfires and Travel Hesitation

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Los Angeles has taken a series of hits in 2025 that are now snowballing into a wider tourism slump. The wildfires that tore through parts of Malibu and Pasadena in early spring didn’t touch major tourist areas, but the headlines alone were enough to scare off many international travelers. Even though neighborhoods like Santa Monica and downtown Los Angeles remained unaffected, bookings at local hotels and visitor foot traffic dipped across the board.
The Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board is now trying to counter that perception with reassurance campaigns, but it’s an uphill climb. According to officials, the region is bracing for a 25% to 30% drop in international visitor numbers this year. Canadian airlines have already slashed flights to LAX through October, and inbound traffic from Mexico has also cooled. With over 510,000 locals depending on tourism jobs, this downturn is hitting far more than just hotel lobbies and beachfront cafes.

New York City Faces a Steep Decline in Global Visitors

The Big Apple is feeling the chill from overseas. New York City, which welcomed 67.6 million visitors last year, now expects that number to shrink by more than 3.5 million in 2025. International arrivals, in particular, are forecast to tumble by 17%, marking one of the steepest single-year drops in recent memory. Industry leaders point to long visa wait times, confusing travel requirements, and a perception that the U.S. is becoming harder to visit.
Canadian and European travelers—once dependable pillars of NYC’s global appeal—are now rethinking their plans. With travel advisories, cost-of-living spikes, and political tension all in the mix, international tourists are choosing easier, more welcoming destinations. That’s translating into empty theater seats on Broadway, fewer shoppers on Fifth Avenue, and lower occupancy in some of the city’s biggest hotel chains.

Chicago Sees Canadian Travel Dry Up Amid Political Tension

Chicago has long enjoyed a steady stream of Canadian tourists, especially during the summer and holiday seasons. But this year, that stream has slowed to a trickle. The combination of political friction, a weakened Canadian dollar, and colder diplomatic relations is discouraging cross-border visits. Local tourism boards have confirmed that many Canadian travelers are either postponing trips or choosing destinations within their own borders instead.
For a city that thrives on convention traffic, sports tourism, and lakefront festivals, this decline is being felt hard. Restaurants near Navy Pier, hotels in the Loop, and even neighborhood attractions are reporting softer numbers than expected. Chicago isn’t sounding the alarm just yet, but business owners say the shift is already changing the feel of the city’s summer tourism season.

San Francisco Struggles with International Softness Despite Local Gains

San Francisco isn’t in a freefall, but it’s certainly not booming either. While total visitor numbers are forecast to tick up modestly, arrivals from key international markets like Germany, Japan, and China have slipped noticeably. Early estimates show a 5–6% decline from Europe and Asia. The strong U.S. dollar and complicated visa processes are two major deterrents, according to tourism analysts.
Even as domestic visitors return to enjoy the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf, the city’s hotel sector is missing the high-spending international crowd. Long-haul travelers traditionally stay longer and spend more, especially in upscale areas like Union Square and the Embarcadero. Without them, local businesses are adjusting their expectations and trimming their forecasts for the second half of the year.

Las Vegas Watches Tourist Numbers Drop and Revenues Slip

Las Vegas, a city that practically lives off tourism, is feeling the sting of this global pullback in a big way. Visitor arrivals are down by 7.8% in 2025, and that’s not just a blip. International traffic, especially from Canada, Mexico, and the UK, has dropped off significantly. Border confusion and political rhetoric have led many to book trips elsewhere, leaving resort corridors a bit less crowded than usual.
Casino operators report that gaming revenues are down nearly 5%, a clear sign that tourists aren’t just fewer in number—they’re also spending less. Entertainment venues, which once operated at near-full capacity, are adjusting showtimes and discounting tickets. Behind the scenes, hotels are pivoting marketing strategies to attract more regional U.S. visitors to fill the gap left by absent international travelers.

Florida Sees Softening in Its Most Reliable International Market

Florida, especially cities like Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, has always counted on Canadian visitors to help fuel its tourism economy. But in 2025, that dependable source of foot traffic is wavering. So far this year, Canadian travel to Florida is down by 3.4%, and the reasons range from currency concerns to political unease. Travel agents in Toronto and Vancouver say they’ve seen an uptick in vacationers opting for domestic trips or Europe instead.
While Florida’s domestic tourism remains strong, especially with American families visiting theme parks and beaches, the international market is noticeably quieter. For a state that prides itself on year-round sunshine and global accessibility, the dip has prompted Visit Florida to refocus some of its messaging. Campaigns now encourage Floridians and regional neighbors to “Rediscover the Sunshine State” while they wait for the return of global tourists.

Canada’s Pullback Reflects a Bigger Global Hesitation

Canada’s decline in U.S.-bound tourism has been one of the most talked-about trends of the year, but it’s far from the only one. Canadians are traveling less to the U.S. partly due to unfavorable currency exchange rates, but also because of sharp remarks from U.S. leadership and heightened nationalism back home. Cities like Los Angeles, Palm Springs, and Las Vegas are all feeling the absence.
But this isn’t just about Canada. Tourists from Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia are also holding off, citing long visa wait times, travel confusion, and concerns about how welcoming the U.S. feels right now. The decline is part of a much broader shift—and for major U.S. tourism hubs, it’s a wake-up call. If cities want to win back global travelers, they’ll need to rebuild trust, ease entry barriers, and reestablish the U.S. as a friendly, exciting destination.

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Tags: Chicago, florida, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, travel industry, Travel News, US

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