News Summary
New York City faces a sharp decline in international tourism, with spending expected to drop by $12.5 billion this year. Concerns over entry policies and political rhetoric are making potential visitors anxious, leading to a projected decrease of 17% in tourist numbers by 2025. This downturn impacts the tourism sector significantly, with warnings of job losses and reduced economic growth. In response, a campaign titled ‘With Love + Liberty, New York City’ has been launched to attract international visitors amidst changing perceptions.
New York City is experiencing a significant decline in international tourism, largely due to growing concerns over entry policies and political rhetoric that has altered perceptions of the United States as a travel destination. International traveler spending in the US is projected to decrease by $12.5 billion this year, prompting warnings of potential job losses in New York’s tourism sector, which heavily relies on foreign visitors.
Bill Martin, an Australian traveler currently on a six-week trip across the US, has reported a shift in sentiment among potential visitors. Many are increasingly anxious about the likelihood of being detained at the border or facing complications during the entry process. This skepticism, exacerbated by US immigration policies, has led some to seek alternative travel destinations. Italian student Eman Moretti expressed his nervousness about his family’s planned visit, highlighting the effects of the hardline stance taken by the current administration.
Concerns have also been shared by Javier Muenala from Ecuador, who noted risks related to the potential cancellation of visas. These fears are contributing to the perception that visiting the US may no longer be worthwhile for international travelers.
As a consequence, New York City is bracing for a dramatic fallout in the number of incoming tourists. NYC Tourism + Conventions has revised its expectations, predicting a 17% drop in international tourist numbers, which translates to approximately 2 million fewer visitors in 2025 compared to 2024. The loss will be felt particularly acutely in the financial figures, as international tourism accounts for 20% of all visits while generating 50% of total visitor spending.
In the wake of these developments, political remarks from US officials have spurred boycotts among some Canadian travelers. New York tour operator Matt Levy has reported a noticeable decrease in Canadian visitors, who are opting to explore destinations closer to home rather than crossing the border. Levy’s tour business substantially relies on Canadian student groups, a demographic that has shown declining interest in visiting NYC.
Renée Rewiski, a tour guide, has also observed a stark reduction in group bookings relative to previous years, linking this downturn directly to the declining number of international visitors.
The implications for NYC’s tourism sector could be severe if this trend persists, as local economic growth could be stymied. Recent hotel occupancy statistics paint a troubling picture, revealing a drop in bookings for the upcoming peak travel months. In March 2025, non-citizen arrivals by plane to the US decreased by nearly 10%, further underscoring the challenges facing the industry. Flight reservations from Canada to the US have plummeted by 70% compared to last year.
With the negative outlook on tourism stemming from changing traveler attitudes and hesitations, economic analysts from Goldman Sachs have observed that US tariffs and assertive political positions appear to be damaging global perceptions of the nation, effectively discouraging international visitors.
In response to these alarming trends, NYC Tourism + Conventions has launched a campaign titled “With Love + Liberty, New York City” aimed at rekindling interest from international tourists. The campaign seeks to highlight the city’s offerings and reassure potential visitors of a welcoming experience.
Despite the current unease in the tourism landscape, there are some upcoming events that might provide a glimmer of hope for recovery. Major occasions like the 2026 World Cup and the US’ 250th anniversary are anticipated to attract visitors and could potentially help the tourism sector rebound in the coming years.
The combination of increased value consciousness among travelers, who are on the lookout for better deals compared to previous years, and a slump in hotel bookings suggests that the tourism industry in New York City, as well as across the US, faces an uphill battle in the immediate future.
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Additional Resources
- CNN: New York City Tourism Down
- Wikipedia: Tourism in New York City
- The New York Times: NYC Tourism
- Google Search: NYC tourism
- Gothamist: Tourists Staying Away
- Google Scholar: New York City tourism decline
- Travel and Tour World: Jamaica Tourism Workers
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Tourism
- New York Post: NYC Tourism Poised to Tank
- Google News: NYC tourism 2025
