After a strong tourism year in 2024 when New York City saw nearly 65 million visitors, the second highest figure in the city’s history, officials predicted an even better 2025. Last year, New York City Tourism + Conventions projected the five boroughs would make almost a full economic and tourist recovery from the pandemic. And then President Donald Trump took office. With the administration’s tariffs, detainment of immigrants, and threats to Canada’s sovereignty, the city revised its forecast to reflect a 17 percent drop in international travelers this year.
As reported by the New York Times, the latest forecast from the city’s tourism agency estimates 64.1 million tourists will visit New York City this year, down from the 67.6 million travelers NYC Tourism + Conventions projected in December.
The new forecast predicts 12.1 million international travelers, down from last year’s forecast of 14.6 million, a 17 percent decrease.
According to the city, tourists spent $51 billion in the city in 2024, with foreign travelers accounting for half of all spending. Spending this year is now forecast to decline by $4 billion, according to the Times. Foreign visitors typically stay longer and spend more money than domestic visitors.
The biggest hit to tourism in the city is coming from across the border. Tariffs on Canada, as well as Trump’s offensive threat to make the country the 51st state, are pushing Canadians to cancel trips to the United States.
According to the U.S. Travel Association, Canada is the top source of international visitors to the U.S., with 20.4 million visits last year. A 10 percent reduction in Canadian travel could mean “2.0 million fewer visits, $2.1 billion in lost spending, and 14,000 job losses.”
Hotel bookings in New York from Canada are projected to be down by 30 percent for the summer and fall, Vijay Dandapani, president of the Hotel Association of New York City, told The City.
Visitors from Europe are also more likely to avoid visiting the U.S. now because of aggressive tactics by Trump’s border authorities, the Times reported, with several reports of tourists being detained and held for weeks, despite holding valid permits and visas.
Julie Coker, the president and CEO of NYC Tourism + Conventions, told the Times the agency launched a campaign to target international travelers and let them know “New York City is still the most welcoming, inclusive and diverse city in the world.”
The campaign, “With Love + Liberty, New York City,” kicked off last year in 18 global markets as a lead up to 2025-2026, which will mark the 400th anniversary of its founding, America’s 250th birthday, and the FIFA World Cup, which includes the final match at Met Life.
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