New York Faces Tourism Crisis as Canadian Visits Plummet by 33%

San Antonio, Texas, USA - As the tourism landscape shifts dramatically, the latest reports indicate that New York has seen a significant decrease in its visitor numbers, joining several other states—including Florida, California, Maine, Texas, and Nevada—facing similar challenges. According to Travel and Tour World, July 2025 has experienced declining visitation levels primarily due to border concerns with Canada and increasing economic tensions.
This troubling trend isn’t an isolated issue. In fact, border crossings from Canada plummeted by 17% in Upstate New York alone in June 2025, compared to the same month in the previous year. Local businesses, particularly those reliant on Canadian tourists, are feeling the sting, reporting sales declines of up to 30% this summer. For instance, the Deer River Campsite, which caters to Canadian visitors, is struggling with revenue drops, while the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism in Lake Placid notes hotel revenues are down by 8%, with restaurants facing a staggering 30% dip in sales.
The Broader Impact on Tourism
It’s not just New York that is grappling with this downturn. Florida has been hit hard too, witnessing a nearly 70% decrease in flight bookings from Canada by June 2025. This drop has led to reduced hotel bookings and lower tourist spending in major resort areas like Miami, Orlando, and Tampa. Similarly, California has recorded a 15% decline in Canadian arrivals to its key cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego.
Further north, Maine’s coastal areas have seen Canadian visits fall by 27.5%, while Texas has faced Canadian arrival drops between 28-30%, impacting cities such as Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. Even lascivious Las Vegas isn’t immune; it recorded a 6.5% drop in spending by Canadian tourists, showing that fewer guests are visiting its famous casinos and hotels.
The root cause of this decline can largely be traced back to political factors, including trade threats and a weak Canadian dollar, which has made traveling to the U.S. less appealing for Canadians. In June, car crossings into the U.S. fell by 33% year-over-year, with air travel experiencing a 22% drop, as pointed out by Skift. Many Canadians are opting to vacation elsewhere rather than facing the potential headaches at the border.
Economic Concerns for the Future
The declining number of visitors from Canada is creating ripple effects throughout the tourism industry, threatening local economies that depend heavily on these travelers. Reports suggest that Canadian tourists represented about 25% of all foreign visitors to the U.S. in 2023, contributing around $20.5 billion to the economy. Even a 10% drop in this demographic could result in a staggering $2.1 billion loss in spending, jeopardizing approximately 140,000 jobs within the hospitality sector, as highlighted by a study from Forbes.
The downturn has been ongoing, with Canadian travel to the U.S. experiencing significant declines since February 2024. Surveys show that 56% of Canadians intending to visit the U.S. have decided to look elsewhere due to escalating political tensions and tariff discussions. Furthermore, incidents of Canadian tourists being detained at the U.S. border have spurred calls for travel warnings from Canadian officials, only amplifying the hesitation to cross over.
As we stare into the uncertain future of tourism, the U.S. is projected to see a 9% decline in international arrivals in 2025, with an estimated $8.5 billion decrease in visitor spending. The overall economic forecasts predict a staggering loss of up to $29 billion in tourism revenue. With such figures, local businesses and communities dependent on tourists must brace for what lies ahead.
As the situation evolves, it’s clear that proactive measures, like introducing discounts and targeted marketing campaigns, are already being pushed by both U.S. and Canadian tourism organizations. Let’s hope these efforts yield a quick turnaround to restore the vibrancy of cross-border tourism.
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