Intl travel to US falls in 2025 amid policy strains

International travel to New York and the entire United States was "constrained" last year due to geopolitics and federal policies including tariffs and higher immigration restrictions, according to recent reports released by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

The findings showed that in 2025 there were nearly 176,650 fewer overseas visitors to New York, a 3 percent decrease, compared to 2024. Only California had a larger decline of over 275,000, while the national decrease was 2.5 percent.

"Federal policies are driving foreign travelers away and taking billions in tourism spending and harming our economy as exports substantially decline," DiNapoli said in a statement in early April. "New York is a top destination for tourists to the US, and policies that welcome and encourage international travel are needed to avoid damaging economic consequences."

"Tourism is an economic engine for New York City. … International visitors are critical to our visitor mix: while they represent only about 20 percent of total visitation, they account for approximately 50 percent of all visitor spending," said travel expert Tiffany Townsend, executive vice-president of Global Communications for New York City Tourism + Conventions, which represents nearly 2,000 member organizations.

But this year, New York's travel market could see "modest" visitor growth, she said.

Townsend told China Daily that New York City is experiencing a "blockbuster" summer in 2026," with major global moments" including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 250th anniversary celebrations of the United States and the New York Knicks becoming NBA champions for the first time since 1973. This year, the agency projects modest growth, with 66.3 million visitors expected, according to its March outlook.

She added that New York, one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, had attracted millions of football fans from all over the world, a trend that some analysts said was expected to boost tourism in mid-2026. "Initial estimates show group stage matches alone generated $1.2 billion in direct visitor spending," Townsend said.

In terms of overall visitation, last year the Big Apple, known for its skyscrapers, delis, restaurants and luxury shopping on Fifth Avenue, drew 65 million visitors, nearly twice the level in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic seriously affected inbound visits, but about 2.6 percent below the 2019 level.

Leisure travelers accounted for about 81 percent of total visitation, while business travelers made up about 19 percent. Separately, domestic visitors represented roughly 80 percent of all visitors.

Tourism in the city generated $84.7 billion in total economic impact in 2025, including $55.6 billion in direct spending, New York City Tourism + Conventions said.

This economic activity supported 397,000 jobs. Tourism also generated $7.5 billion in tax revenue.

Top spenders

For several years through 2023, Chinese travelers consistently ranked as the top spenders when traveling abroad, UN Tourism figures showed.

Chinese outbound travel spending is forecast to approach $280 billion in 2026, according to a report released by the World Travel and Tourism Council in June.

The US National Travel and Tourism Office predicts that international arrivals from China to the US will increase each year through 2030.

Given the sour trade relations between the US and Canada due to the US administration's tariff policies, fewer tourists from Canada made their way across the Canadian border to New York in 2025, DiNapoli's report showed, with travel from Canada falling by more than 21 percent, or nearly 3.6 million visitors.

In a bid to lure Canadian visitors back to New York, New York City Tourism + Conventions has launched an initiative called NYC's Northern Neighbour Deal — which offers them discounts on hotels, Broadway shows, attractions, restaurants and retailers.

Townsend explained that it was to reinforce the "long-standing connection between New York City and Canadian travelers and to send a clear message that Canadians are always welcome here".