U.S. Faces Decline in International Tourism as China Gains Ground
In 2025, the United States experienced a 5.5 percent decline in international tourist visits, with a corresponding 4.6 percent drop in international visitor spending, totaling $176 billion. This decline occurred despite a global increase in tourism, as highlighted by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The decrease was primarily driven by significant reductions in visitors from Canada, Germany, India, and France. The WTTC warns that the U.S. is at a critical juncture in its tourism development, with China rapidly gaining ground as a global tourism destination. Domestic travel demand in the U.S. remained robust, with visitor spending exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 14.3 percent. 
