Vermont, New York, Texas, Oregon, and Other States Face Sharp Decline in Tourism Numbers in 2025: Everything You Should Be Aware Of

When families, friends, and international travelers looked forward to exploring American landmarks in 2025, states like Vermont, New York, Texas, Oregon, Rhode Island, and North Dakota instead found themselves grappling with a steep drop in visitors that has shaken local economies and tourism-dependent communities. Once bustling towns from Burlington to Brattleboro in Vermont are quieter than expected this year, and small business owners report far fewer passports, plane bookings, and hotel reservations. Reports from the U.S. Travel Association and national tourism data show a broad decline in inbound visitor numbers — the first significant contraction in years — driven by economic pressures and reduced international arrivals.

Foreign Travel to America Stalls as Global Tourism Soars Elsewhere

Official forecasts from the U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics confirm that international arrivals to the U.S. are down sharply in 2025 — a rare and troubling trend. Government data on travel patterns indicates that total inbound visitors are expected to fall from approximately 72.4 million in 2024 to an estimated 67.9 million in 2025, marking the first annual decline since the pandemic.

This trend emerges even as world tourism rebounds globally, with countries like Spain reporting record visitor counts in 2025, largely outpacing American figures.

Why Are So Few Tourists Visiting the U.S. in 2025?

The tourism downturn in the United States is not rooted in a single cause, but several factors:

• International Arrival Declines: Overseas visitation to the US fell consecutively for numerous months through 2025, with data showing significant drops from major markets like Western Europe and Canada.

• Economic Headwinds: A strong US dollar, higher travel costs, and broader economic uncertainty have made other destinations more attractive or affordable for foreign travelers.

• Diplomatic and Perception Issues: Surveys and travel industry analysis suggest political tensions and visa concerns have deterred some international travelers, especially from Canada — historically one of America’s most important markets.

Together these trends have reduced visitation and tourism spending, costing billions in local revenue and tightening budgets for hospitality businesses nationwide.

State Tourism Impact – Local Economies Feeling the Squeeze

Across the United States, the tourism slump has played out in varied ways:

Vermont: Known for scenic drives, ski resorts, and fall foliage tours, Vermont’s tourism industry showed striking seasonal swings in 2025. Peak summer months still drew crowds, but visitor numbers in spring and autumn were sharply lower than in past years.

New York: Even the Empire State, with iconic attractions like Times Square and Niagara Falls, saw declines as overseas visitors stayed away. International arrivals into major cities like New York City and nearby regions were lower than expected.

Texas: Despite major events and attractions, Texas tourism figures softened — especially in early and late season travel months.

Oregon & Rhode Island: These scenic but smaller markets saw fewer beach and outdoor travelers compared with prior years, undermining summer tourism revenue.

North Dakota: Often dependent on seasonal and regional travel, North Dakota’s visitor count fell noticeably during colder months.

Economic Ramifications: Lost Jobs, Lower Revenue

The downturn in tourism has direct consequences on state economies, particularly in sectors such as hospitality, attractions, transport, and local services. As tourism spending dips, businesses that depend on constant visitor inflows struggle to maintain staffing and services. Broader economic forecasts suggest that the country may lose more than $12.5 billion in international tourism spending in 2025, a significant drop for an industry that contributes heavily to local tax revenue and employment.

Localized data indicates that hotels, tour operators, and small lodges in states like Vermont and Oregon are reporting fewer bookings year-on-year. In urban centers like New York, fewer overseas travelers also mean lower airport footfall and less spending in restaurants, museums, and entertainment venues.

Government and Industry Response

Industry groups like the U.S. Travel Association and state tourism offices are warning that without coordinated efforts to boost international marketing and streamline travel entry processes, the slump could extend beyond 2025. Government travel forecasts suggest that while domestic leisure travel remains resilient, the recovery in international tourism may not gain full strength until major global events in 2026 draw fresh attention to the United States.

Tourism officials in affected states are now exploring promotional campaigns targeting new source markets, enhancing domestic travel incentives, and investing in digital outreach to regain lost ground.

What Travelers Are Saying

Local hoteliers and guides report that while American travelers continue to explore domestic destinations, fewer foreign visitors are booking U.S. trips in 2025. Businesses from Vermont’s mountain inns to Texas ranch resorts are adjusting pricing and packages to attract visitors who might otherwise choose abroad destinations.

Looking Ahead: Recovery or Continued Decline?

Experts caution that while late 2025 showed some narrowing in travel declines, international tourist numbers remain below 2024 levels, and full recovery to pre-pandemic figures may take several more years. Governments and tourism boards are working to improve competitiveness, but with global tourism growth occurring elsewhere, the United States faces a challenging landscape in revitalizing its appeal to foreign travelers.

Final Word – Human Impact Beyond the Numbers

For the shopkeeper in Burlington, Vermont, the guide at Niagara Falls, and the restaurateur in Austin, Texas, the 2025 tourism downturn isn’t just a statistic — it’s reduced jobs, fewer customers, and tighter margins on livelihoods built around welcoming visitors. The hope shared by local communities is for renewed confidence among travelers, easier travel processes, and stronger promotion so that dream trips to America return to bustling reality in 2026 and beyond.

The post Vermont, New York, Texas, Oregon, and Other States Face Sharp Decline in Tourism Numbers in 2025: Everything You Should Be Aware Of appeared first on Travel And Tour World.