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... Several reports indicate the U.S. is losing international visitors. According to a new assessment by the World Travel & Tourism Council, 80 million more people traveled internationally in 2025 compared with 2024, making it a bumper year for global travel. However, the U.S. did not benefit from the increase. Visitor numbers dropped by 5.5%, and international spending fell to $176 billion from $184 billion.

Canadian travelers have turned away from the U.S. in large numbers. There were 4.2 million fewer Canadians crossing the border in 2025, discouraged by the Trump administration's tariff policies and comments about making Canada the 51st state.

Visitors from Germany, India, and France have also declined significantly. As a region, North America saw just 1% growth, compared with global tourism growth of 4.1%.

It has not helped that several countries updated their travel advisories for the U.S. last year, adding warnings about anti-LGBTQ+ policies and stricter border scrutiny.

Tourists have reportedly been detained and deported, and the U.S. is considering expanding reviews of visitors' social media history. Policies like these have made travelers wary, with more choosing alternative destinations.

In contrast, China is gaining ground. In 2025, international visitor spending there rose 10.5% to $135 billion. The report notes that the world's second-largest tourism market is closing the gap, while the Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing globally. ...