In 2025, Boston has joined a growing list of US states—including New York, Texas, Washington, Montana, Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, and Colorado—grappling with a steep decline in international tourism as travelers from Canada and Europe cancel or reconsider their plans amid rising diplomatic tensions, strict immigration enforcement, and shifting global perceptions of US safety and welcome. Once-reliable inbound markets are now retracting due to new travel advisories, visa complications, and political rhetoric, triggering a widespread tourism slump that threatens local economies, jobs, and post-pandemic recovery efforts across the country.

Boston Prepares for a Tourism Pullback

Boston officials have begun bracing for a significant drop in international arrivals this year, particularly from Canada—the city’s largest source of foreign visitors. While inbound travel figures have not yet plummeted, Boston’s tourism board, Meet Boston, has revised its 2025 forecast downward by 10%. Previously, the agency anticipated a 4–5% increase.

Tourism supports approximately 56,000 jobs in Boston and contributes to 6.4% of the local workforce. International visitors—especially Canadians, who make up nearly 800,000 annual trips—are a cornerstone of this economy. But changing travel advisories, immigration enforcement actions, and political rhetoric are now reshaping that dynamic. In a recent fiscal address, Boston’s mayor warned of a possible financial crisis driven by the shifting federal landscape.

National Forecast: A Broad International Retreat

While Boston is just beginning to feel the strain, other regions are already experiencing tangible declines. According to Tourism Economics, border crossings into the US were down by nearly 33% in March compared to 2023, with Canadian air travel down 13%. The outlook for 2025 projects an overall 20% drop in foreign visits to the US.

The impact is sweeping across multiple sectors—hospitality, transport, retail—and cutting across virtually every major state reliant on international tourism.

State-by-State Breakdown: The Growing List

Boston (Massachusetts): Early Signs of Trouble

Boston is preparing for a 10% drop in international inbound travel in 2025. Canadian travelers—who make up nearly a quarter of the city’s foreign arrivals—are scaling back due to diplomatic tensions and visa concerns. While numbers haven’t yet plunged, officials warn of a major economic hit. Tourism supports 56,000 jobs and contributes 6.4% to Boston’s workforce.

New York: Forecast Slashed, Billions at Risk

New York City expects a 17% drop in international tourists in 2025, with sharp declines from Canada and Europe. The city has cut its forecast by 3 million visitors, risking up to $4 billion in tourism revenue. Attractions, Broadway theaters, and high-end retailers are among the most affected.

Texas: Post-Boom Slowdown

Texas, after a record 62 million visitors in 2024, is seeing slowing growth in 2025. Hotel bookings, international arrivals, and event attendance are down, driven by rising airfare, geopolitical tensions, and tariff concerns. Business travel remains stable, but leisure travel from abroad is waning.

Washington (State): Fewer Visitors, Fewer Bookings

Washington is experiencing a decline in European and Canadian travelers, especially in Seattle. Local hotels and attractions have reported reduced bookings from Germany, the UK, and Nordic countries. Concerns about border treatment and political rhetoric are cited as major deterrents.

Montana: Canada Pulls Back in Record Numbers

Montana’s Canadian visitor traffic is plummeting:

• Canadian spending in Kalispell: -13% in January, -36% in February
• Hotel bookings by Canadians: down 71%
• Roosville border crossing saw a 26% traffic collapse in March
  Montana’s historic tourism ties with Alberta are weakening, impacting local hotels, tournaments, and cross-border community events.

Alaska: Tariffs Disrupt Border Town Tourism

In towns like Haines, Canadian road trippers once formed a key market. In 2025, tightened cross-border rules and new tariffs are driving those numbers down. Local shops and tour operators are now seeing significant revenue declines.

Arizona: Snowbird Season Shortened

Long popular among Canadian retirees, Arizona is witnessing shorter stays and more cancellations in 2025. Immigration enforcement headlines and political unease have cooled demand from repeat travelers and long-term winter visitors.

Hawaii: Long-Haul Tourism Declines

Hawaii reports a notable 8.4% drop in visitors from Japan and Australia in February 2025. Combined with Canadian booking reductions, this has dented hotel occupancy and tourism-dependent revenue streams. The strong dollar, airfare costs, and international perceptions of the US are contributing factors.

Colorado: Ski Slopes Feel the Chill

Colorado’s internationally renowned ski resorts have reported a fall in advance bookings, particularly from Europe. Industry analysts cite longer visa processing times and a shift in travel sentiment as reasons for the reduced international footfall.

California: From Boom to Slowdown

California forecasts a 0.7% drop in total trips in 2025, reversing post-pandemic growth trends. International visitor numbers—who spent $26 billion in 2024—are expected to fall by over 9%. Border concerns, reduced airlift, and high costs are pushing visitors toward alternate destinations. The state is now focusing 79% of its tourism marketing budget on domestic travel.

Florida: Still Below Pre-Pandemic Benchmarks

Canadian air arrivals to Florida showed modest growth in early 2025, but overall visitation remains 20% below pre-pandemic levels. Canadian “snowbirds” are fewer in number, impacting long-stay markets. VISIT FLORIDA is now targeting Latin America to make up for North Atlantic losses.

Nevada: Las Vegas Takes a Hit

In Q1 2025, Las Vegas recorded a 7% drop in visitation, and a sharper 12% decline in February, driven by weaker Canadian and European demand. Convention attendance has dropped nearly 20%, and international gaming revenue is declining. Reduced service on transatlantic routes is a growing concern for the tourism board.

Illinois: Convention Economy Weakens

Illinois, home to Chicago’s major convention hubs, saw a 9% drop in international arrivals. Hotel occupancy in Chicago lags behind other major cities. Analysts point to rising costs, European caution, and reduced direct flights as causes. The city is now shifting efforts toward regional conference markets and domestic tourism.

Washington DC: Struggling to Rebrand

The nation’s capital is facing declining European and Canadian arrivals, with early 2025 trends suggesting ongoing weakness. Museums, monuments, and group tour operators report fewer bookings. Officials are emphasizing DC’s cultural and educational value in hopes of countering its polarizing political image.

Economic Toll and Industry Response

The financial damage is mounting. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the US is expected to lose $12.5 billion in foreign travel spending in 2025—a 7% decline year-over-year. The U.S. Travel Association further estimates that a 10% drop in Canadian visitation alone could cost the US economy $2.1 billion and eliminate 14,000 jobs.

Hotel occupancy rates, airport traffic, and bookings for cultural attractions are already lagging behind projections in several states. Industry experts warn that the current downturn may not be short-lived, as international perceptions of the US have grown increasingly negative.

Shifting Travel Preferences and Global Alliances

This downturn is not occurring in a vacuum. Several European governments, including Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, and the UK, have updated travel advisories or issued public concerns regarding US entry procedures and border detentions—even for legal travelers.

Meanwhile, new bilateral tourism partnerships are emerging elsewhere. Canada and Greece have inked an agreement to promote travel between their countries, a signal that traditional US-bound tourists are finding new destinations to explore.

Domestic Focus and Diversification Efforts

Facing these headwinds, US tourism agencies are redirecting efforts toward domestic travelers and nearby international markets. California, for instance, now invests 79% of its marketing budget into campaigns targeting US residents. Similarly, Florida is expanding its focus to Latin American markets, and New York is developing new messaging centered around safety, inclusivity, and local experiences.

Despite these efforts, experts caution that domestic tourism cannot fully compensate for the loss in high-spending international visitors.

Boston and several other US states are facing a sharp tourism decline in 2025 as travelers from Canada and Europe pull back amid visa challenges, political tensions, and growing safety concerns. This international retreat is disrupting local economies and reversing post-pandemic recovery gains across major destinations.

The decline in international travel to the US in 2025 is no longer an isolated trend—it’s a nationwide retreat. From the cultural corridors of Boston and New York to the open landscapes of Montana and Alaska, states across the map are confronting a sobering reality: Canada and Europe are turning away from the United States in growing numbers. Unless diplomatic and policy shifts are made to rebuild trust, the recovery of inbound travel may take years to stabilize, leaving a deep economic void in its wake.

The post Boston Joins New York, Texas, Washington, Montana, Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Colorado and More as Canada and Europe Abandon US Travel in Growing Numbers appeared first on Travel And Tour World.