New York City Falls in Line with Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington DC, and Las Vegas as Tourism Collapses Under Trump Tariff Trade War and Mass Trip Cancellations

New York City, long the beating heart of American tourism, is suffering a steep drop in international visitors. Officials have slashed their forecast by 17% for 2025, predicting a loss of 2 million tourists compared to the previous year.

Tour operators across New York report that Canadian bookings are drying up. Families, student groups, and retirees are instead opting for destinations like Halifax, Vancouver, and Nova Scotia. The sentiment is clear: why risk border tension or offensive headlines when safer, welcoming options exist at home?

For local tour guides and small operators, the fallout is brutal. Several report losing as much as 40% of their business due to the Canadian tourism decline alone.

Countries like Canada, Japan, and Portugal are promoting themselves as peaceful, accessible, and culturally rich alternatives. Many have enhanced digital travel tools, simplified visa processes, and embraced visitors with open arms.

While the current climate is discouraging, the future still holds promise. Global events like the 2026 World Cup, set to take place just outside New York in East Rutherford, New Jersey, could serve as a powerful incentive to draw visitors back.

If the U.S. wants to reclaim its place as a global travel leader, it needs more than a marketing refresh. It needs trust. And that begins with softening borders, reducing entry friction, and realigning public rhetoric with hospitality.

For millions of international travelers, the U.S. used to represent possibility. Right now, it represents risk. And in a world of endless destination choices, that perception can make all the difference.