Why the United States Is Seeing an Ongoing Tourism Slump

Last year, as tourism grew worldwide, the United States was the only major destination to see a decline in foreign visitors, recording a 6 percent drop. January saw a continued decline in inbound visitors, down 4.8 percent from January 2025; “When 11 million international visitors aren’t showing up, the result is billions of dollars in economic losses to the travel industry,” said Erik Hansen.

Officials and travelers point to tougher entry rules and heightened enforcement. The administration has barred visitors from more than a dozen countries, introduced a $250 “visa integrity fee,” expanded searches of electronic devices and is considering requiring up to five years of social media history for some visitors — measures the World Travel and Tourism Council says could cut as much as $15.7 billion in visitor spending.

“These are the kinds of measures you expect from China or countries in the Middle East, not from America,” said Felicity Morgan, who recently canceled a trip to Miami.

United States, Miami

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