U.S. Tourism Faces Troubling Decline Amid International Retreat
New Hampshire, US – May 19, 2025 — As international tourism takes a sharp downturn, New Hampshire joins a coalition of states, including Washington, California, and Florida, facing significant economic consequences. A growing retreat of Canadian and European travelers from the U.S. is attributed to stricter visa regulations, safety concerns, and mounting political tensions.
In 2025, many states previously reliant on overseas tourism are now grappling with dwindling visitor numbers. New Hampshire, while not typically among the largest tourism economies, heavily depends on cross-border travel, especially from Canadian provinces like Quebec. State tourism agencies are responding with contingency plans as advanced bookings drop and inquiries from international markets decline.
Similar incidents are reported across the nation. Washington state sees reduced bookings in Seattle, particularly among travelers from Germany and the UK, while Montana faces a 71% decline in Canadian hotel bookings. Colorado’s famed ski resorts are adjusting marketing strategies toward domestic tourists due to visa delays and high airfare costs.
California, which saw a boom in tourism post-COVID, now anticipates a 0.7% decline overall, with international travels expected to fall by over 9%. Reasons include increasing visa scrutiny and political instability deterring potential visitors.
The economic implications are dire; the U.S. Travel Association projects that a significant drop in Canadian visitation could erase billions in economic output and lead to thousands of job losses. Simultaneously, international tourists, who typically spend more and stay longer, are being diverted to alternative destinations like Canada and European countries, which are enhancing their own tourism strategies.
With the tourism pulse of America slowing down, states, including New Hampshire and California, are focusing on domestic travel to mitigate losses. However, experts warn that without addressing these core issues, the U.S. may face a prolonged tourism downturn, threatening years of recovery efforts.
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