U.S. Tourism Drops 5.5 Percent Amid High Inflation and Immigration Crackdowns

Even as the United States prepares to host the world’s biggest sporting event, the FIFA World Cup, the country is facing an unexpected slump in international visitors, according to new data. The growing perception that the United States is becoming too expensive to visit, along with the country’s aggressive crackdown on immigrants under President Trump, appear to be troubling causes that have muted travelers’ enthusiasm about visiting, according to a new study.Despite retaining its title as the world’s largest travel and tourism market, America has seen international tourism drop by 5.5 percent in 2025 compared to 2024, while international visitor spending fell 4.6 percent to $176 billion over that same period.According to data compiled by the World Travel & Tourism Council, while 80 million more people traveled internationally during the recent global travel boom, many opted to bypass the United States entirely. Following these weak visit numbers, the travel and tourism council’s president and CEO, Gloria Guevara, warned that the United States must become a more welcoming destination to keep pace with its biggest rival, China. “To avoid losing its leadership position, the U.S. must invest in promoting its attractiveness, both in international markets and during the summer of football; change perception and position the U.S. as a welcoming destination; and grow international visitor spend, encouraging stopovers and new experiences.”Aviation analyst Cirium data show that advance flight bookings to the United States for July are down 14 percent year-over-year. Meanwhile, the anticipated influx of football fans hasn’t materialized to offset these broad industry losses. As the Sun reported earlier this month, the tourism boom linked to the World Cup – perhaps the biggest sporting event in the world –has yet to materialize. The American Hotel and Lodging Association, says that bookings are not only lower than expected for the games, but tracking below expectations for an average June and July.Much of the decline is driven by staggering costs. Fans face expensive match tickets, high ground transportation fees across host cities, and steep visa requirements. The State Department recently waived a $15,000 bond requirement for World Cup travelers who purchased match tickets, but the overall financial burden remains a major deterrent.Combined with controversial political rhetoric and strict immigration policies, the high travel costs are pushing tourists toward neighboring co-hosts Canada and Mexico, co-hosts of the World Cup matches.

U.S. Tourism Drops 5.5 Percent Amid High Inflation and Immigration Crackdowns

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