Travel and tourism have always been major industries in the United States. In fact, several states depend on tourism to help pay the bills, create jobs, and support local businesses and tax revenues. From world-famous landmarks to cultural festivals, the United States has a wide variety of attractions that attract millions of visitors each year. However, even with the abundance of options and attractions, there are certain states that are experiencing a slowdown in tourism. There are a few reasons for this, including changing travel trends, economic forces, and shifts in consumer behavior. With declining visitor numbers, these once-booming markets are scrambling to make changes and turn things around.
Florida
Florida has long been recognized as a tourism giant. From theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Studios to beaches on the Gulf Coast and nightlife in Miami, Florida has long attracted visitors from all over the world. Florida also boasts several cruise ports, including those in Miami and Port Canaveral, that have welcomed thousands of travelers each year.
Florida’s tourism dominance, however, may be waning. According to TTV, recent data has shown that in 2024, there was a steep decline in travelers. August’s numbers also showed no growth in arrivals from the previous year, which is concerning because travel usually increases in the summer months. September arrivals were also down from the previous year as summer travel was on the decline. This trend in popular vacation destinations in Florida may be alarming to local businesses that rely on tourism dollars, especially as they have failed to fully recover from the pandemic.
Texas
Attractions in the state of Texas come in many forms. These include live music and historic architecture in the capital city of Austin, arts and culture in Houston, the Alamo in San Antonio, and the Hill Country in Texas, which all make the Lone Star State a popular tourist destination. The state also hosts major sporting events, conventions, and festivals throughout the year.
After a year of record highs in Texas visitor arrivals, the trend in 2025 for the state is nearly flat year-over-year from 2024, with a -0.6% change. Visitor arrivals in the state of Texas remained strong for most of the months of the year. The small YoY decline was the result of minor decreases in February and March. The decline, while small, is a deceleration in momentum for the Texas tourism industry. Texas still experiences high travel activity YoY and month-over-month from sustained demand for Texas' cultural diversity and ongoing special events in the state.
New York
The Empire State is home to world-renowned sites such as its signature skyline, Broadway theater, top-tier museums, and bustling neighborhoods. Attractions such as Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, and Times Square are just some of the main reasons why New York has long remained a leader in global tourism.
The state posted a -7.2% year-over-year fall in tourist arrivals in 2025 versus 2024. Buoyant summer tourism was insufficient to overcome softer activity earlier in the year and fewer visits toward the end of the peak season. Although the state is among the most visited destinations in the world, these slight declines reflect shifts in visitor behavior, which may be due to a range of factors, including the global economic outlook, travel expenses, or trends in international tourism. The fall is also a reminder that even the world’s most popular destinations can experience swings in visitor demand.
