New York Loses Visitors Due to Tariffs

New York — April 2025

In short: Statewide tourism saw a 3% decline, attributed to tariffs, impacting hotel occupancy and employment.

New York Tourism Decline Linked to Tariffs

According to a report by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, overseas travel to New York fell 3% in 2024, equivalent to over 176,000 visitors. The report indicates that real GDP for tourism-associated industries remained stagnant between Q4 2024 and Q3 2025, while hotel occupancy dropped 1.2%. Employment in these sectors also saw no growth during the same period.

Key Details

• Tourism Impact: 3% decline in international visitors.
• Economic Indicators: No growth in tourism-related GDP; hotel occupancy down 1.2%.
• Employment: No increase in jobs within tourism industries.

What Travel Professionals Should Know

TMCs managing international accounts should anticipate reduced demand from New York-bound travelers. Airport lounge operators and hoteliers in the city may need to adjust pricing strategies or promotional offers to maintain competitiveness. The tariff impact suggests a need for diversified marketing efforts to offset the decline in overseas tourism.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cause of the tourism decline?
The decline is primarily due to tariffs imposed on overseas travel, as reported by the State Comptroller.

Which travel trade segments are affected?
Tourism-related industries, including hotels, travel agencies, and tourism-related employment, are directly impacted.

When does this effect take place?
The decline is reflected in the data from 2024 to 2025, with no signs of recovery indicated.

Reference:Source.