Monday, June 30, 2025
Seattle has now joined the ranks of iconic U.S. destinations like New York City, Los Angeles, Hawaii, Chicago, San Francisco, Las Vegas, California and More in facing a shocking exodus of travelers, as tourism numbers continue to decline across the country. This widespread downturn is being driven by a mix of rising travel costs, growing safety concerns in urban centers, post-pandemic lifestyle shifts, and reduced international arrivals—factors that have converged to reshape how, where, and why people travel. Even the nation’s most visited cities are no longer guaranteed crowds, signaling a profound shift in America’s tourism landscape.

Seattle Faces a Startling Drop in Local Tourism

In Seattle, the drop is impossible to ignore. While Pike Place Market still ranks as the city’s top draw, only 31% of the adult population visited it over the past year. That’s a significant decline from the 41% recorded between February 2019 and February 2020. The drop isn’t isolated either. Major city attractions like Seattle Sounders games, the Pacific Science Center, the Seattle Great Wheel, Mariners games, Woodland Park Zoo, the Museum of Pop Culture, and the Museum of Flight have all reported lower attendance compared to five years ago.

Advertisement
Local hosts and residents point to a mix of contributing factors: rising crime in popular districts, unaffordable parking, and lasting impacts from the pandemic have all made outings less appealing. Even for Seattleites, the cost of enjoying their own city feels steeper than ever. And while some places like the Seattle Aquarium and sporting events for the Seahawks and Storm have seen boosts, the overall picture points to a city struggling to maintain its appeal.

New York City Grapples with a Tourist Slowdown

Across the country, New York City is feeling the heat too. The city has seen a projected 17% drop in overall visitors, and the shortfall is particularly visible among Canadian tourists, who once made up a robust portion of NYC’s travel economy. An estimated 800,000 fewer Canadian visitors are expected this year alone. Attractions such as the Empire State Building, Broadway shows, and the Metropolitan Opera are experiencing noticeable attendance gaps.

Soaring hotel rates, unpredictable weather, political sentiment, and inflation have all played their part in making the Big Apple a tougher sell for international guests. Even with its global reputation, NYC’s visitor economy is no longer immune to these powerful shifts.

Los Angeles Struggles to Rebound After Wildfires

Los Angeles, long known for its year-round tourism draw, is experiencing a steep and unexpected slide. Downtown foot traffic has dropped sharply, and major locations like The Last Bookstore and Grand Central Market have reported up to an 80% decrease in visitors since the wildfires earlier this year. International arrivals at LAX have fallen by roughly 3.5%, and hotel bookings are trailing behind expectations.
The city’s efforts to revive interest—through marketing, events, and infrastructure—have faced a rocky path. Travelers remain wary, and the rising cost of accommodations has only made it harder for LA to bounce back.

Hawaii’s Recovery Hits a Wall

Despite being one of the most dreamed-about destinations in the U.S., Hawaii is now contending with one of its slowest summer tourism seasons in years. The aftershocks of the 2023 Lahaina wildfires continue to affect sentiment, and visitor arrivals in 2025 are well below pre-pandemic norms.
Hotels and local businesses have reported a sharp decline in bookings, and June 2025 turned out to be one of the softest months for travel demand on record. High airfare costs, ongoing safety concerns, and a shifting tourist mindset have stalled Hawaii’s full recovery, despite its natural beauty remaining unchanged.

Park City Faces Major Blow as Sundance Pulls Out

In Utah, Park City’s tourism engine took a direct hit when the Sundance Film Festival announced it would relocate. The move is expected to strip the local economy of around $132 million annually. The festival had been a major draw for visitors from across the globe, filling hotels, restaurants, and ski resorts every January.
Without it, Park City now faces a steep climb in redefining its tourism model and filling the massive void left behind by its marquee event.

Lake George Braces for a Slow Summer

In upstate New York, the small but tourism-dependent village of Lake George is feeling the pressure. Businesses there are bracing for a lighter summer, with early indicators pointing to a downturn in Canadian visitors and a general reduction in spending. Seasonal inns, local eateries, and family-run attractions fear a repeat of the sluggish foot traffic experienced in recent years.
Store owners cite economic uncertainty and a hesitancy to splurge on domestic travel as key factors dampening what used to be a reliably busy season.

Chicago and San Francisco Lose Travel Momentum

In Chicago, downtown venues and lakefront areas that once drew consistent crowds are facing a lull. While some of it stems from reduced business travel, leisure tourism hasn’t returned to full strength either. Events and conventions remain subdued, and visitors from abroad are slower to return.
San Francisco is battling similar trends. Once a hotspot for tech tourism and international leisure travel, the city now finds itself dealing with weaker hotel occupancy and a growing sense of traveler hesitancy—driven by perceptions of safety and affordability.

Las Vegas Sees Dip in Visitor Numbers

Even Las Vegas, the entertainment capital known for its resilience, isn’t untouched. Tourist arrivals have dipped by nearly 8%, with international traffic shrinking more dramatically. Casinos and resorts have begun adjusting expectations, as economic pressures and changing visitor habits reshape what was once a booming year-round tourism model.
The city continues to lean into major events and conventions to stabilize the market, but it’s clear that spontaneous travel and repeat visits are seeing a decline.

California as a Whole Signals Trouble

Beyond Los Angeles and San Francisco, the entire state of California is expected to record its first overall tourism decline since the pandemic. After several record-setting years, the 2025 forecast has been downgraded due to a drop in both domestic and international travelers. Canadian visitor numbers have fallen sharply, impacting destinations across the state—from Napa Valley to San Diego.
High costs, extreme weather, and growing competition from other states have all chipped away at California’s once-dominant tourism appeal.
Seattle now joins New York City, Los Angeles, Hawaii, Chicago, San Francisco, Las Vegas, California and More in facing a shocking tourism exodus, as rising costs, safety fears, and post-pandemic shifts push travelers away from even the most iconic U.S. destinations.

A National Wake-Up Call

What’s happening in Seattle isn’t an isolated dip—it’s part of a sweeping pattern across the United States. From major metros to small resort towns, the nation’s top destinations are facing a collective tourism exodus unlike anything seen in recent memory. Whether it’s the cost of travel, shifting priorities, safety concerns, or event cancellations, these forces are reshaping where and how people choose to vacation.
For cities that have long relied on tourism dollars, the message is clear: the game has changed, and attracting travelers now requires more than just iconic views and big-name attractions. It demands affordability, safety, and experiences that resonate with the modern, cautious traveler.

Advertisement
«Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us»
Tags: California, Chicago, hawaii, Lake George, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York City, Park City, San Francisco, seattle, Tourism news, travel industry, Travel News, US

I want to receive travel news and trade event update from Travel And Tour World. I have read Travel And Tour World’sPrivacy Notice.

Monday, June 30, 2025
Monday, June 30, 2025
Monday, June 30, 2025
Monday, June 30, 2025
Monday, June 30, 2025
Monday, June 30, 2025
Monday, June 30, 2025
Monday, June 30, 2025

source