Tourism in the United States faced a sharp downturn this summer, with international arrivals falling across major destinations from Buffalo to Los Angeles. Analysts and local officials point to President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, where tariffs, immigration crackdowns, and rhetoric targeting foreign nations have fueled perceptions of hostility toward visitors. The decline is particularly evident along the northern border, where Canadian tourism — once a reliable lifeline for towns like Buffalo — has dropped significantly.
Buffalo’s Struggle and Broader Declines
In Buffalo, a campaign featuring the slogan “Buffalo Loves Canada” and a $500 gift card giveaway failed to reverse the slump in Canadian visitors. Visit Buffalo Niagara reported that, despite initial interest, the city’s usual summer wave of Canadian tourists never arrived. Similar struggles were seen nationwide, with the World Travel & Tourism Council projecting the U.S. as the only country among 184 where foreign visitor spending would fall in 2025. Data from the National Travel and Tourism Office confirmed a drop of over 3 million overseas visitors in the first seven months of the year.
Impact of Trump’s Policies
Experts link the downturn to Trump’s trade and immigration policies. The administration revived a travel ban targeting mostly African and Middle Eastern countries, tightened visa approvals, and conducted mass immigration raids. Tariffs on foreign goods further alienated potential visitors. “Perception is reality,” said Deborah Friedland of Eisner Advisory Group, noting that many now feel unwelcome in the U.S. Organizers of the International Lindy Hop Championships even postponed their event in New York after foreign competitors withdrew, citing the political climate.
Regional and Global Trends
Declines have been especially pronounced in Western Europe and Asia. Arrivals from Denmark fell 19%, Germany 10%, and France 6.6%, while Hong Kong, Indonesia, and the Philippines saw double-digit drops. Canada, historically the U.S.’s top source of tourists, sent far fewer visitors: July car trips into the U.S. were down 37% from the year before, with flights down 26%. In a reversal, more U.S. residents crossed into Canada than Canadians visiting south — a first in nearly two decades outside of pandemic years.
Domestic Travel Resilience
While foreign tourism slowed, domestic travel offered some relief. Destinations like Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula enjoyed strong seasons with bustling foot traffic. Major airlines reported increased bookings for premium airfares, and the Federal Aviation Administration prepared for its busiest Labor Day weekend in 15 years. Still, for cities reliant on international visitors, the absence was palpable. Buffalo, for example, shifted its marketing focus to U.S. cities like Boston and Chicago to fill the gap left by Canadians.
Conclusion
The sharp decline in foreign tourism underscores the impact of political rhetoric and policy on global perceptions of the U.S. While domestic travel remains strong, international hesitation is reshaping visitor patterns and straining communities near the border. As Buffalo’s tourism chief Patrick Kaler put it, the goal is not just economic recovery but also rebuilding trust: “We will always welcome Canadians back when the time is right.”