US Tourism Expected $64 Billion Loss As Global Confidence Wanes

The U.S. travel industry is on the brink of a major disruption, with forecasts predicting a $64 billion revenue loss by 2025. A projected 5.1% decline in international visitors is expected to hit key travel hubs the hardest, fueled by rising global tensions, tariff wars, and stricter U.S. immigration policies. International travelers—and the global organizations that once favored the U.S. for conventions and events—are showing growing reluctance to return.

In 2024, an estimated 77.7 million people from other countries visited the United States, marking a 17% increase compared to 2023. Visitors from Canada and Mexico led the influx. However, early 2025 projections show a sharp slowdown, with declines already evident in traditionally strong markets like Western Europe and Canada.

According to a YouGov survey conducted across 16 countries in Europe and Asia, 35% of respondents were less likely to visit the U.S. under Donald Trump’s leadership, citing concerns over immigration, security, and diplomatic tensions. Meanwhile, only 22% of respondents reported greater interest in U.S. travel.

Using the latest data from the U.S. Department of Commerce and travel booking platform Luxury Link, here is the most current list of U.S. metro areas with the highest number of international visitors in 2023, ranked by volume:

Top 15 U.S. Metro Areas by Total Overseas Visitors in 2023

1. New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ — 8,890,000 visitors

2. Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, FL — 4,365,000 visitors

3. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA — 3,603,000 visitors

4. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL — 3,518,000 visitors

5. San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, CA — 2,281,000 visitors

6. Las Vegas-Paradise, NV — 2,077,000 visitors

7. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV — 1,611,000 visitors

8. Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL — 1,413,000 visitors

9. Honolulu, HI — 1,322,000 visitors

10. Boston-Quincy, MA — 1,152,000 visitors

11. Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX — 887,000 visitors

12. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA — 765,000 visitors

13. Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Deerfield Beach, FL — 749,000 visitors

14. San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA — 655,000 visitors

15. Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX — 655,000 visitors

While places like New York, Florida, and California dominate in total numbers, states such as Nevada and Hawaii stand out for their visitor-to-resident ratios. In 2023, Nevada welcomed 676 international visitors per 1,000 residents, and Hawaii attracted a staggering 1,158 per 1,000 residents, making them particularly vulnerable to shifts in international sentiment.

Worryingly, some U.S. destinations are already feeling the effects of international hesitation:

• Statistics Canada reported a 23% drop in Canadian visitors to the U.S. in February 2024—marking two straight months of decline.

• NYC Tourism noted a surge in trip cancellations and a decline in search interest from Canadian travelers.

• British and German governments have issued travel advisories for the U.S., warning citizens of visa document scrutiny and risk of detainment.

Tourism and event planners are increasingly worried that the current trajectory could jeopardize international attendance at key events, including:

• The 2025 Ryder Cup

• The 2026 FIFA World Cup

• The 2026 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles

These events were expected to bring a tourism boom. Instead, they could now suffer under the weight of tightening borders and dwindling global goodwill.

Despite the hopeful uptick in 2024, industry experts say the writing is on the wall. Without meaningful efforts to ease international friction and rebrand the U.S. as a welcoming destination, cities across the country could experience unprecedented losses in global tourism dollars.

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Yvon Lux is the editor of her Apple News channel covering lifestyle news and current events. Her “blogazine” celebrates sisterhood and empowers women by focusing on women’s health, travel, lifestyle, and entrepreneurial news while also sharing the most coveted beauty news and style stories.

Yvon’s lifestyle Magazine stylishly tells stories of trailblazers and tastemakers. Email news tips and stories to designs@yvonlux.com. Connect with her on Instagram and subscribe to her Apple News channel.