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U.S. Inbound Tourism Slumps With Millions Fewer Overseas Visitors in 2025

Analysts tie the downturn to Trump-era entry barriers, with a $250 visa fee taking effect October 1 expected to extend the slide.

Overview

  • U.S. government data show roughly 3 million fewer overseas visitors in the first seven months of 2025, with July arrivals down 3% year over year and declines in five of the past six months.
  • Tourism Economics now projects an 8.2% drop in international arrivals for 2025, citing a severe sentiment shift and airline bookings that signal the slowdown will persist.
  • The World Travel & Tourism Council forecasts international visitor spending in the U.S. will fall to under $169 billion this year, making the U.S. the only country among 184 studied with a decline.
  • Canada, the largest source market, has seen steep pullbacks, including a July drop of 37% in car trips and 26% in air travel by Canadians returning from the U.S., with a rare summer reversal in cross‑border driving flows.
  • A new $250 'visa integrity fee' starts October 1 for non–visa waiver travelers, lifting total visa costs to about $442 and adding a barrier for visitors from countries such as Mexico, India and China.