Published on October 29, 2025
In 2025, Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, and others unite in facing a record decline in tourism across the U.S., driven by economic factors and changing travel trends. The sharp downturn in international visitor numbers has hit major tourist destinations hard, with cities once thriving on global travel now grappling with significant losses. From Seattle’s 26.9% drop in Canadian visitors to Las Vegas’ 11.3% decrease in overall tourist arrivals, the impact is widespread. Economic uncertainty, rising travel costs, and global disruptions have made international tourism less accessible, particularly for long-haul travelers. In cities like Los Angeles, where Canadian visitors account for a substantial portion of international traffic, the drop is even more pronounced. As Miami, Orlando, and other destinations witness declines in overseas arrivals, the ripple effects are felt across the hospitality, retail, and entertainment sectors. This article explores the reasons behind this decline and examines the strategies these cities are adopting to adapt to a rapidly shifting tourism landscape.

Seattle Braces for a 26.9% Drop in International Visitors

Seattle is facing a dramatic 26.9% drop in overnight international visitors in 2025. The forecasted decline is primarily due to the significant reduction in Canadian travelers, who form a large part of the city’s international visitor base. As a neighboring city to Canada, Seattle is particularly vulnerable to shifts in travel patterns, especially given the economic factors affecting Canadian tourism. This drop in overnight stays is expected to impact local businesses, from hotels to tour operators, who rely heavily on international tourists for a significant portion of their revenue.

Portland Struggles with 18.3% Drop in Overnight International Visitors

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Portland, Oregon, is forecasted to see a notable 18.3% decline in overnight international visitors in 2025. The city’s proximity to the northern border makes it particularly susceptible to declines in Canadian tourism, as Canadians represent a significant portion of Portland’s international visitors. This decline in international travel is part of a broader trend affecting the Pacific Northwest, as economic factors and changes in travel behavior lead to fewer international tourists visiting. Local businesses, from restaurants to cultural attractions, are expected to face challenges as a result of this downturn in visitors.

Las Vegas Hit Hard by Economic Slowdown in Tourism

Las Vegas is set to endure a sharp 11.3% decrease in visitor numbers in June 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. This decline positions the city among those most impacted by the overall downturn in international travel. Las Vegas, which relies heavily on global tourism, is expected to see substantial revenue loss as a result. The city’s appeal as a major entertainment hub faces new challenges with international tourists scaling back on travel, and the economic uncertainty affecting global markets may be exacerbating the situation. The drop is a critical setback for the tourism sector that the city will have to navigate carefully.

Los Angeles Sees International Arrival Decline, Especially from Canada

Los Angeles is witnessing an 8% decrease in non-resident international air arrivals in August 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. While the decline is noticeable across many markets, the steepest drop comes from Canada, where arrivals fell by nearly 38% year-over-year in August. This decline is part of a broader trend seen in other major U.S. cities and reflects a decrease in travel from neighboring regions. With Canadian visitors being a key source of international tourists, this significant reduction is expected to have a long-term effect on tourism-dependent businesses in Los Angeles.

Washington D.C. Sees Minor Drop in Visitor Numbers

Washington D.C. has witnessed a 2.85% decrease in total tourist numbers from January to August 2025, with 1.912 million visitors compared to 1.968 million in the same period in 2024. While the decline is relatively modest, it still represents a shift in tourism trends to the U.S. capital. Factors such as global travel disruptions and economic factors are contributing to the overall drop. Washington D.C., which relies on both domestic and international visitors, will likely need to adjust its marketing strategies and offerings to counteract the ongoing trend of reduced tourism.

New York City Faces Significant Dip in International Visitors

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New York City is expected to see a sharp 17% drop in overseas arrivals in 2025 compared to earlier projections. The city’s total visitors are projected to decrease from approximately 67 million in 2024 to 64.1 million in 2025. International visitor numbers, specifically, are expected to fall to just 12.1 million, a major decline that could deeply affect the city’s economy. This reduction in tourists is projected to lead to a staggering $6 billion loss in tourism revenue. The city’s tourism industry, which thrives on international visitors, is bracing for these economic consequences and is working to implement strategies to mitigate the impact.

Miami Experiences Slight Decline in International Arrivals

Miami has seen a minor 1.3% decrease in international arrivals for the year-to-date period in January 2025 compared to 2024, according to Miami International Airport’s reports. While the drop is not as severe as in other major U.S. cities, it still reflects the broader trend of international tourism slowing down in 2025. As a key destination for travelers from Latin America, Europe, and beyond, Miami’s tourism sector is feeling the pinch, particularly in the wake of global economic uncertainties and shifting travel preferences. This slight dip, though not as drastic, is a sign of a larger pattern in the U.S. tourism industry.

Orlando Faces Decrease in Canadian and Overseas Visitors

Orlando has experienced a decline in both Canadian and overseas visitors in the first quarter of 2025. Canadian visitors have dropped by 3.4%, from 1.269 million in Q1 2024 to 1.227 million in Q1 2025, while overseas visitors have also seen a slight decline of 0.8%, with 2.114 million arriving in Q1 2025 compared to 2.13 million in Q1 2024. These declines contribute to a downturn in Florida’s tourism, which heavily depends on international travelers. With the Canadian market in particular facing challenges, Orlando’s tourism industry is preparing for an ongoing impact throughout the year.

Decline in US Tourism: Economic Factors and Changing Travel Trends

The US tourism industry is experiencing a notable decline in 2025, primarily driven by economic factors, shifting travel behaviors, and a decrease in international visitors, particularly from neighboring Canada. The rising costs of travel, fueled by inflation and economic uncertainty, have made long-haul trips less affordable for many foreign tourists. Additionally, global disruptions and geopolitical tensions have further dampened international travel, with many opting for closer, less expensive destinations. This decline is affecting major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, where tourism is a significant revenue source. The reduction in international visitors is particularly impactful on sectors such as hospitality, entertainment, and retail, leading to decreased business revenues and job losses in tourism-dependent industries. As a result, U.S. destinations are reassessing their marketing strategies and exploring ways to attract visitors, emphasizing local tourism and adapting to the new global travel landscape.
In 2025, Seattle saw a 26.9% drop in arrivals. Alongside Portland, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando and others, the US is experiencing a record decline in tourism driven by economic factors and changing travel trends.

Conclusion

Seattle’s 26.9% decline in tourist arrivals in 2025, joining Portland, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando and other major destinations, highlights a significant trend: a record decline in tourism across US in 2025. This decline is driven by a combination of economic challenges, shifting travel behaviors, and global disruptions, particularly the reduction in Canadian visitors due to economic strain. As these cities continue to face this downturn, it is clear that the impact on the tourism sector is widespread, affecting revenue, jobs, and local economies. With these cities now uniting in the face of this ongoing decline, adapting to new travel trends and reevaluating tourism strategies will be crucial to reversing the pattern and regaining lost momentum in the months ahead.

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Tags: economic impact, tourism decline, travel trends, US Tourism

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