WASHINGTON, D.C.: Foreign visitor numbers to the United States dropped by 12% in March, marking the sharpest decline in inbound travel since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The figures show a concerning slowdown in international arrivals, with key neighbouring markets seeing the steepest declines. Canadian travellers, who make up the largest group of foreign visitors to the US, dropped by 18% in March. This follows a 12.5% dip in February, signalling a continuous downward trend from the north.
Meanwhile, air arrivals from Mexico—another crucial travel source—plummeted by 23%, compounding the fall in North American tourism.
Visitors from China also saw an 11% decline, despite recent efforts to reopen travel channels and ease visa procedures. In addition, inbound travel from Africa dropped by 9%, parts of Asia declined by 7%, and Central America slipped by 6%.
The U.S. travel industry, still recovering from pandemic-related disruptions, is now facing new headwinds. Analysts point to factors such as increased visa wait times, shifting economic conditions, and tighter travel budgets worldwide as potential reasons for the fall.
Industry experts warn the trend could have economic consequences, especially in tourism-dependent states like Florida, California, and Nevada. The U.S. Travel Association is urging authorities to streamline visa processing and boost tourism marketing campaigns to reverse the downturn.
The data underscores growing global hesitation in international travel to the U.S., a trend authorities will need to monitor and address swiftly to avoid long-term damage to the tourism sector.
