A tourism crisis hits New York.. What is the reason for the decline in the number of foreign visitors to America?

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Foreign visitors are increasingly concerned about traveling to the United States in 2025, which is clearly reflected in the numbers, as international traveler spending to the United States is expected to decline by about $12.5 billion this year, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. Some of the country's top tourist destinations, including U.S. cities like Orlando, Miami and Los Angeles, are bracing for the impact this downturn will have on businesses that rely on international travelers' spending.

The economic slowdown can be particularly felt in New York City, the country's top destination for international travel. New York City Tourism + Conventions, the official body responsible for tourism marketing for the city, has reduced its forecast for the number of international tourists in 2025 by 17%.

Julie Coker, the organization's CEO, explained to Ofoq News that the city is expected to receive two million fewer international tourists this year compared to 2024. “We are still optimistic, but we are starting to notice a slowdown in bookings,” Coker said.

She added: “International tourism is very important to us, because although it represents only 20% of the total number of visitors, it contributes 50% of visitor spending. This year we were supposed to reach pre-Covid levels...

“So this slowdown or pause is disappointing.” Canadians are increasingly avoiding travel to the U.S. New York City is the most popular port of entry for international visitors to the United States, and more visitors from Canada than any other country.

However, there are recent indications that some Canadians, disturbed by the political rhetoric coming out of Washington, D.C., are boycotting the United States. Coker noted that the decline in tourism in New York City is due in part to a decline in the number of Canadian visitors, and tour operators such as Matt Levy, who has noticed a slowdown in business, agree with her.

“They're spending their money back home,” said Levy, owner of Spread Love Tours, which offers customized tours of New York for art lovers, foodies, families and others. Levy has been leading tours in the city for three years, noting that a large part of his work depends on international tourism, especially Canadian student groups.

But in recent months, Levy said, Canadian travel agents have told him that their clients are avoiding traveling to the United States because they are upset by threats of tariffs or by US President Donald Trump's comments about making Canada America's 51st state. Levy emphasized that if the political climate does not improve, business for him will likely be worse in 2026.

He added: “My three biggest Canadian clients have all unanimously told me that school parent councils will not let kids go to America. They will say: ‘No, we will spend the money in our country instead.’”

Likewise, a tour guide in New York noted that she is seeing a decline in bookings. Renee Rewski, who has been working as a tour guide in New York City for more than a decade, said she had not seen numbers this bad since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Recently, while leading a small group of tourists on a tour of lower Manhattan, “This time last year we had 20 people on the tour,” she explained. She works for Tours by Foot, which offers walking tours in popular New York boroughs like Brooklyn and Harlem, and she worries that if things don’t change soon, her job could be in jeopardy.

For her part, Coker indicated that her organization is promoting the city through a campaign that began last May outside the United States titled “With Love + Liberty, New York City.” Coker’s message to those thinking about visiting New York is: “New York City opens its doors to you.

Although we faced some obstacles, we are here waiting for you when you want to visit us.”