Experts Warn International Travel Downturn to U.S. May Extend Beyond Summer
Reduced visits from foreign travelers this summer hit border towns and major destinations, and analysts link the decline to policy shifts and rhetoric since February
A slowing of international tourism to the United States that emerged in February showed few signs of reversing by late summer, industry analysts and local officials said, warning the downturn could last beyond the busy travel season.
In Buffalo, a summer marketing push — including a highway billboard reading "Buffalo Loves Canada" and a $500 gift-card giveaway — initially generated interest, said Patrick Kaler, chief executive officer of Visit Buffalo Niagara. More than 1,000 people entered the promotion, but by the end of July the city had not seen the wave of Canadian visitors it typically relies on for summer revenue.
Tourism officials in other U.S. destinations reported similar patterns. From northern border towns to major tourist hubs including Las Vegas and Los Angeles, visitors from abroad were noticeably fewer this summer than in previous years, according to local tourism leaders and travel analysts.
Analysts and some local officials attribute the decline to policy and rhetoric associated with President Donald Trump's return to the White House earlier this year. They point to new tariffs, stricter immigration enforcement, and public comments about acquiring Canada and Greenland as factors that may have discouraged international travelers. The trend first appeared in February and continued through the spring into the peak summer months, industry observers said.
The drop in foreign visitors has economic implications for communities that depend on international tourism for hotel occupancy, restaurant sales, retail spending and tax receipts. Local officials in affected cities said they have adjusted marketing strategies and promotions in an effort to attract domestic travelers and offset losses from abroad, but cautioned that such measures may not fully replace the revenue of a strong international season.
National travel data published by private industry groups and government agencies through the summer showed mixed signals, with some recovery in domestic travel but uneven returns in international arrivals. Travel analysts emphasized that patterns can vary by market and by source country, noting that changes in exchange rates, airline capacity and travel advisories can also influence traveler decisions.
Travel and hospitality stakeholders said the timing and durability of any rebound remain uncertain. Some economists said it is possible that as policy signals stabilize and airlines restore routes, international visitation could recover, but others warned that perceptions formed by months of policy moves and public commentary can have lasting effects on destination choice.
For now, cities like Buffalo are relying on targeted promotions and partnerships with regional businesses to draw visitors, while monitoring booking trends and arrival statistics. Local tourism executives said they will continue to reassess marketing priorities and collaborate with state and federal partners to support recovery efforts if declines persist.
The sustained shortfall in foreign visitors this summer underscores how political decisions and public messaging can ripple through the travel economy, affecting not only major metropolitan destinations but also smaller communities that have long counted on cross-border and international tourism for a large share of seasonal income.