International visitor numbers to the United States dropped by four million in 2025, marking the first significant decline since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to an analysis of data from the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO).
Total foreign arrivals fell from over 72 million in 2024 to 68 million in 2025, a decrease of 4,009,072. Spending also dropped by more than $8 billion (£5.95 billion), adjusted for inflation and exchange rates, as reported by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
The decline contrasts sharply with NTTO forecasts, which had predicted 77 million visitors for 2025. The US has still not recovered to pre-pandemic levels of 79 million annual visitors.
Canada accounted for the largest drop, with 4.2 million fewer arrivals. Germany, India and France also saw significant decreases. However, UK visitor numbers rose by 21,000 to over four million, and Mexican arrivals increased by one million to nearly 18 million.
Simon Calder, travel correspondent for The Independent, warned of potential price-cutting ahead of the 2026 World Cup. WTTC President Gloria Guevara urged the US to invest in promoting its attractiveness and change perceptions to remain a welcoming destination.
Despite the decline, the US remains the world's largest travel and tourism market, though its global market share is shrinking. International travel overall grew by 80 million trips in 2025, indicating that the downturn is specific to the US.
