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The 2025 closed with negative figures for international tourism to the USA, with a significant drop in key markets such as Canada.
USA is currently positioned as the only nation that registers a contraction in its international tourism indicators, a worrying situation that has transformed its historical trade surplus in the travel sector into a latent deficit due to multiple concurrent factors.
The panorama of international tourism to the United States has entered a phase of marked duality. During the information sessions of the IPW 2026, the largest tourism marketing fair in the USA, Data was presented that exposes a marked duality in the industry: while the international traveler who manages to arrive reports historic levels of satisfaction, The volume of revenue from key markets suffered a notable slowdown throughout 2025.
International arrivals fall
The data revealed by New York City Tourism + Conventions reveal a widespread phenomenon in the country's main entry points. Although domestic tourism acted as a lifeline, the international component showed clear signs of weakening.
- International slowdown: In the Big Apple, the volume of foreign tourists fell to 12.5 million in 2025 (a decrease of 3.2% in front of the 12.9 millions of 2024), a trend that was aligned with the decline in 2.5% in the arrival of overseas visitors registered at the national level in the last year.
- The collapse of source markets: The graph of the ten main issuing markets shows critical declines in almost all the key countries between 2024 and 2025:
- Canada: The second most important issuing market suffered a drastic collapse, going from 983,000 a 796,000 visitors (a contraction close to 19%).
- France and Brazil: They recorded moderate but constant falls, descending to 725,000 and 670,000 travelers respectively.
- China, Germany and Australia: They also showed numbers in red in the interannual comparison.
- The exceptions: UK only (1.07 millions), Italy (745,000) and Mexico (559,000) managed to report increases in their flows towards the metropolis.
Despite this bump, projections for the closing of 2026 estimate a technical recovery driven by the easing of global tensions and the massive impact of the FIFA World Cup 26, waiting for international tourism to return to the mark of the 12.9 million locally.
High satisfaction among those who do travel
Faced with the contraction in airport flows and the loss of dynamism in traditional markets, a new opinion study presented by the U.S.. Travel Association and executed by YouGov sheds light on the qualitative behavior of the sector. The survey, made to more than 1,200 international travelers from eight strategic markets who recently visited the country, demonstrates that ground experience remains highly competitive.
«The data shows that the direct travel experience substantially improves perceptions about the American Union abroad, acting as a tool of soft diplomacy», the report highlights.
The key indicators of the study reflect the following:
- 91% of international travelers reported being satisfied with their travel experience.
- 83% He stated that he felt welcome during his stay in the United States..
- 61% He concluded his trip with a much more favorable opinion of the country compared to his initial expectations..
- 56% assured that the direct experience improved their perception of security levels in US destinations. UU.
One of the main obstacles identified lies in passengers' concerns regarding control processes at the US borders., especially around electronic device screening and secondary scans at customs. For many long-distance travelers, These misperceptions become a deterrent reality before you plan your itinerary.. Thus, The industry highlights the urgent need to send a clear and unified welcome message that counters these fears and facilitates arrival processes.
Before this panorama, la U.S. The Travel Association has stepped up its lobbying efforts against government policies potentially detrimental to connectivity and passenger flow. Among its recent achievements is the delay of the proposed changes to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization policy. (THIS), as well as the successful stopping of legislation that sought to impose a visa fee of 250 Dollars, measures that would have further discouraged international demand.
Modernization and innovation of TSA and air traffic
Despite regulatory challenges, significant advances are observed aimed at optimizing the airport experience. The government has increased the number of customs officers available and has achieved a progressive reduction in waiting times for the allocation of visas. in addition, Strategic investments are made in biometric exit systems and in the modernization of air traffic control, along with facilitation initiatives such as the elimination of TSA footwear inspection requirements in certain flows and the implementation of one-stop pilot programs (one-stop).
From a purely operational and infrastructure perspective, System stability is a critical priority for the airline sector. Legislation is currently being promoted to exempt TSA agents and air traffic controllers from the effects of future government shutdowns. (shutdowns). The industry strongly argues that lawmakers should not hold the aviation sector hostage for political advantage., It is essential to prevent these paralysis to guarantee consistent and safe operations..
The chronic lack of funding that has plagued the air traffic control system in recent decades represents a major structural challenge for commercial shipping.. In this context, It is essential to execute the approved investment 1,100 millions of dollars for the technological and operational improvement of the aerocommercial infrastructure. Nevertheless, A continuous and predictable long-term funding stream is required to ensure world-class operating experience..
Finally, Continuous modernization and innovation within TSA are presented as essential requirements to offer passengers a seamless travel experience, efficient and with high safety standards. To this end, The sector advocates before Congress for a greater allocation of economic funds destined for technological development and the integration of solutions based on artificial intelligence in the security filters of air terminals.
The panorama exposed in the IPW 2026 leaves a clear lesson for airlines and global tour operators: The American tourist product maintains its intrinsic attractiveness and the loyalty of those who consume it; However, access barriers, Macroeconomic factors and the immigration and tax policies applied during the last year have reduced effective air connectivity and gross passenger flow.. The immediate challenge of the industry facing the second half of 2026 will be to restore confidence in key source markets to capitalize on the projected rebound.
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