Global overtourism crisis threatens iconic landmarks even as America loses its appeal to foreign visitors

From the Newshound archive · first published 12 October 2026.

International tourism to the United States is collapsing at a rate that has stunned the travel industry, with America set to receive two million fewer overseas visitors this year than in 2025 — itself already down four million on the previous year. Even hosting the Fifa World Cup has failed to reverse the slide. Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the US Travel Association, called the situation "mind-boggling", saying the US is "the only country in the world losing visitation." Canada's boycott is leading the charge, with visits by Canadians down roughly 25 per cent in 2025 and on course for similar falls this year.

Trump's trade wars, tariffs, attacks on allies and aggressive immigration enforcement are cited as the driving forces behind the tourist exodus.