Major U.S. cities welcome a potential resurgence in business travel.
Major U.S. cities, including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, are preparing for a turnaround in business travel, despite a troubling 22% decline in international visitors. Factors contributing to this decline include negative perceptions of border policies and economic uncertainties. While there is a hopeful return to in-person travel, operational challenges and evolving traveler preferences continue to reshape the business travel landscape. The World Travel & Tourism Council forecasts significant financial losses if current trends persist.
New York City is preparing for a resurgence in business travel, with major urban centers like Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta also optimistic about recovery. Despite this hopeful outlook, the U.S. is grappling with a dramatic 22% decline in international business travel, which poses significant challenges for these cities that have long been vital business hubs.
The reported decline translates into real economic impacts: New York City is experiencing missed deals, Los Angeles has empty conference halls, Chicago’s convention centers remain quiet, San Francisco is witnessing fewer hotel bookings, Houston is seeing canceled meetings, Dallas is experiencing slower activity, and Atlanta has less international foot traffic. Travelers are, at times, adopting a hesitant and frustrated stance, heightening the ongoing trend of decreasing international business travel.
In April alone, business travel to the U.S. dipped by 9%, revealing a troubling trajectory. Although earlier in the year—from January to March—over 1.2 million business travelers entered the U.S., indicating a 7% year-over-year increase, the recent downward trend has raised alarms. Moreover, leisure travel similarly fell by 6% during the same initial period of 2025.
International business travel from key regions has particularly suffered, with reported declines such as nearly 18% from Western Europe and almost 12% from Mexico. The Middle East stands out as the only region to show growth, marking a 9.4% increase in business visits. Looking ahead, advance bookings from Europe for the summer months have decreased by 12% compared to the previous year, further underscoring the uncertain outlook.
Many factors contributing to these declines include recent negative perceptions of U.S. border policies. Encounters involving detentions and interrogations have diminished the U.S.’s reputation as a welcoming destination for global professionals. Nevertheless, there is a shift back to in-person corporate travel as professionals seek meaningful face-to-face interactions after relying heavily on virtual meetings during the pandemic.
Current travel behaviors reflect an evolving landscape where business trips are being executed with more intention, focusing on valuable engagements like leadership summits and relationship-building events. Moreover, the rise of the “bleisure” trend—where travelers mix business trips with leisure activities—indicates a shift in priorities for modern business travelers.
Technological advancements have also altered the business travel scene. Hybrid events are increasingly becoming standard, allowing attendees to participate remotely while maintaining emphasis on authenticity in personal interactions. In addition, sustainable practices and accessibility measures have been integrated into modern meetings to create inclusive experiences for all attendees.
Emerging cities like Nashville, Austin, and Denver are gaining popularity as business travel destinations, fueled by their unique innovation and cultural offerings. However, the industry faces several operational challenges, including airline disruptions, rising hotel rates, and the need to demonstrate return on investment for travel expenditures.
Despite the decreased visibility of COVID-19 in public discourse, ongoing health policies continue to impact attendance at events. Additionally, economic uncertainties are prompting corporate travel managers to scrutinize the necessity of business travel more closely.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) projects a concerning forecast, estimating that the U.S. could lose $12.5 billion in international travel spending in 2025, which would represent a 22.5% decrease compared to 2019 levels. Experts are calling for revisions to current policies that negatively impact international business travel, suggesting improvements to border policies and initiatives to enhance the U.S.’s image as an inviting destination.
As major U.S. cities brace for the anticipated comeback of business travel, the contrast with the significant decline in international visitors underscores the need for strategic interventions to revitalize this crucial sector of the economy.
Major U.S. Cities Expect Rebound in Business Travel
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