The U.S. is losing billions of dollars in tourism revenue with experts saying Trump is to blame -Credit:Getty Images
(Getty Images)
Donald Trump currently splits his time between Washington D.C. and Palm Beach, Florida, but his early days were spent in Queens, New York, where he grew up and people are pulling back on visits to the East Coast city.
New York City, made up five boroughs and home to Trump Tower, saw an influx of visitors last year with 65 million people heading to the Big Apple, but it was mostly domestic travel with the U.S. experiencing a significant decline in international tourism.
And while New York City continues to be a popular destination spot, the number of international tourists declined to 12.5 million, dropping over 3 percent since 2024, the city’s tourism agency announced on Tuesday.
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The drop in international tourism is credited to Trump with experts and city officials explicitly linking the decline to policies and rhetoric from the Trump administration.
It’s not just that people disagree with Trump, there’s concern about entering the U.S.
Donald Trump grew up in Queens, New York, in a modest two-story home -Credit:Getty Images
Many international travelers report a genuine sense of unease and anxiety regarding travel to the U.S. in 2026. This reluctance is driven by a mix of safety concerns, a perceived unwelcoming atmosphere, and practical fears of border complications.
A dip in international tourism to New York City has caused significant revenue losses.
Despite a slight overall increase in total visitors, a decline in high-spending foreign tourists—with some projections suggesting 400,000 to 2 million fewer international visitors in 2025—is estimated to result in a $4 billion loss for the city’s economy.
NYC is one of the most famous cities in the world
International visitors often account for about 50% of all tourism spending despite being a smaller percentage of total visitors, making their decline, especially from markets like Canada and Europe, a major blow to revenue.
The decrease, driven by factors such as global perception and economic concerns, has resulted in tighter margins for hotels, restaurants, and retailers who heavily rely on foreign visitors.
The NYC Hospitality Alliance highlights that this decline poses risks to jobs, emphasizing the need for investment in tourism promotion.
But people don’t want to come visit, thanks to Trump
The primary fix for the revenue loss is a multi-billion dollar recovery strategy centered on mega-events in 2026 and a $285 million investment to modernize the city’s tourism appeal.
City officials are leveraging three major events to counteract the international dip and drive nearly $8 billion in combined economic impact.
NYC/NJ will host eight matches, including the Final. It is projected to draw 1.2 million visitors and generate $1.8 billion to $3.3 billion in direct spending.
Large-scale celebrations, including a “parade of tall ships” in New York Harbor, are expected to add $2.8 billion in spending.
Events throughout 2025-2026 commemorating the city’s founding.
NYC Tourism + Conventions has launched a global campaign, “Where the World Comes to Play,” targeting 20 international markets including the UK, Brazil, Japan, and France.
