Bad news for the U.S. economy: Foreign tourism numbers continue to drop

Stop the trains, hold the press, put down your knives and forks... Donald Trump’s politics is alienating people from entering the United States which is having a detrimental effect on the tourism business!

The only way the US is “the hottest” country on planet Earth is due to his environmental policies that make Amazonian loggers look like Jane Goodall.

New government figures paint a deeply troubling picture for the U.S. travel sector, with international visitor numbers sliding once again in September 2025.

According to data from the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), foreign arrivals to the United States dropped like a stone year-on-year: in September, the total count of non-U.S. residents entering the country dipped by roughly 8–11 % compared with the same month in 2024.

The largest number of international arrivals came from Mexico (1,505,562), Canada (1,145,527), the United Kingdom (373,675), Japan (194,092) and Germany (162,435).

The overall figure of around 5.4 million international arrivals represented only about 81–83 % of pre-pandemic levels seen in September 2019, indicating that the industry still hasn’t fully recovered from the disruptions caused by COVID-19.

International tourists typically spend more per day than domestic visitors, and are the huge income base for sectors like hospitality, dining and retail. Continued declines risk reducing revenue for local businesses, especially in tourist-dependent cities and standalone attractions. Tourism economists have even revised earlier growth forecasts downward, reflecting concerns that 2025 could end with total international arrivals lower than last year’s figures.

American businesses in towns and cities along the U.S.–Canada border are feeling the effects of a dramatic drop in visitors this year, a trend that local business owners say is crippling economies that once relied on steady cross-border tourism.

A new analysis by the Joint Economic Committee shows that from January through October 2025, passenger traffic at northern border crossings fell nearly 20% compared with the same period in 2024, with some states experiencing declines of up to 27%, leading to hotels, shops and restaurants seeing noticeably fewer Canadian customers.

Related stories

Social Security

Social Security benefits: Check out this month's payment schedule

Politics

Maria Corina Machado wins 2025 Nobel Peace Prize

And what’s worse, 8,546,659 U.S. residents flocked overseas, a 0.5 % annual increase that could have wider implications for local economies that depend on tourism spending. They continued to choose global destinations in September, with departures reaching well above 2019 benchmarks.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.