New York Lost Thousands of International Visitors Last Year

The State Comptroller Blames Tariffs for the Decline

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:05pm

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A highly stylized, geometric illustration depicting the towering skyscrapers of New York City in a bold, Art Deco-inspired visual style, conveying the grand scale and romance of travel without any literal depiction of people or text.The decline in international tourism to New York City exposes broader economic challenges facing the state's vital travel industry.NYC Today

A new report from New York's Comptroller cites tariffs as one of the major drivers behind the state's 3% decline in international tourism last year, which resulted in over 176,000 fewer overseas visitors and had a negative economic impact on industries associated with tourism.

Why it matters

International tourism is a crucial part of New York's economy, supporting thousands of jobs and generating significant tax revenue. The drop in overseas visitors represents a concerning trend that could have wider implications for the state's economic recovery if it continues.

The details

According to the Comptroller's analysis, real GDP for New York industries associated with tourism saw no growth between the final quarter of 2024 and the third quarter of 2025. Hotel occupancy also fell 1.2% between 2024 and 2025, and average employment in tourism-related industries declined during that period.

  • In 2025, New York saw a 3% decline in overseas travel, the equivalent of over 176,000 fewer visitors.
  • Between the final quarter of 2024 and the third quarter of 2025, real GDP for New York's tourism industries saw no growth.

The players

Thomas DiNapoli

The Comptroller of the State of New York, who released the report analyzing the decline in international tourism to New York.

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The takeaway

The drop in international visitors to New York highlights the vulnerability of the state's tourism industry to external factors like tariffs and trade policies. As the state works to recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic, addressing this decline in overseas travel will be crucial to supporting the tourism sector and the broader economy.