by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 10:15 AM ET, Mon March 16, 2026
International visitor volume to the United States decreased over 6 percent in December, 2025, according to newly released data from the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO).
Non-U.S. resident international visitor volume hit over 6 million, a decrease of 6.2 percent in December, 88 percent of pre-pandemic visitor volume. Total overseas visitor volume decreased 1.3 percent.
The majority of the arrivals came from Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Brazil and Japan, comprising 59 percent of total international arrivals. The top five countries with travelers heading to the United States for business purposes were India, the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany and South Korea.
Year-End 2025 International Visitor Data
Now that NTTO released its last month of 2025 data, we can see the full picture of the health of the United States’ international visitation last year—and it’s less promising than it has been in the past.
Year-to-date, total international visitor arrivals totaled some 68 million travelers, reaching 86 percent of the pre-pandemic total and a decrease of 5.5 percent from 2024. Overseas visitor arrivals decreased 2.5 percent. Many strong tourism economies around the world have already recovered and surpassed pre-pandemic visitor totals.
The regions that reported increases in visitation included Central America, growing 4.7 percent; Eastern Europe, growing 2.5 percent; and the Middle East, which grew 2 percent.
Mexico has the largest number of international visitors, nearing 18 million. Visitation from Mexicans grew 6.4 percent from 2024.
Yet the biggest decrease were Canadian visitors: while they totaled the second-largest international market at over 16 million visitors, visitation actually decreased 20.9 percent from 2024. This is most likely due to the fallout over the Trump Administration’s tariffs and backlash over Trump’s disrespectful rhetoric towards the United States’ northern ally.
The fallout has been dramatic: border destinations have been hit the hardest by the lack in Canadian visitors, while cities from Seattle to Las Vegas have recorded the dramatic fall in international visitation, and the need to pivot to stay popular. Even Disney's parks have been impacted.
International Departures From the U.S. in 2025
While international travel to the United States decreased this past year, international travel by Americans heading elsewhere actually increased.
Over ten million American travelers visited another country last year, an increase of 3.6 percent and marking 115 percent of the pre-pandemic level. Just under 49 percent of these Americans headed to Canada or Mexico, while 51.4 percent visited at least one country further abroad.
Europe accounted for 15.6 percent of all departures in December, a 2.9 percent increase, comprising the second-largest market for outbound U.S. visitors.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
