In 2025, the United States has seen a notable decline in tourism, as various states report significant drops in visitor arrivals.
Among the most affected states is Michigan, which recorded 8.4 million tourist arrivals, reflecting a stark 20.8% decrease from the previous year’s figure of 10.6 million.
August specifically witnessed a striking 13.3% drop, marking another consecutive month of declining tourism.
Similar trends are observed in several other states, including Montana, Texas, Florida, Alaska, and Missouri, all of which have been grappling with declining visitor numbers for eight straight months.
The downturn in tourism across these states is attributed to several intertwining factors.
Economic uncertainty looms large, reducing disposable income and leisure travel budgets for many potential visitors.
Furthermore, rising travel costs have made tourism less accessible, pushing travelers to consider alternatives.
The shift in consumer behavior following the pandemic also plays a crucial role, with many tourists now favoring shorter, budget-friendly trips over long vacations.
Competition from neighboring states employing more aggressive marketing strategies has diverted attention and visitors away from Michigan and other affected states.
As these challenges persist, Michigan is projected to face continued declines through September, potentially seeing a further drop of up to 15% in tourist arrivals as summer gives way to the fall season.
In analyzing other states, Montana’s tourism has sharply declined, with total arrivals dropping by 23.1% in 2025, totaling 1.0 million visitors during the first eight months.
August alone recorded a decrease of 21.6%, underscoring persistent challenges in the sector.
Factors contributing to Montana’s tourism decline mirror those faced by Michigan: rising travel costs, economic uncertainty, a shift in consumer behavior, and increasing competition from other regions offering more cost-effective travel experiences.
Like Michigan, Montana’s tourism leaders anticipate further declines, predicting a 25% decrease in arrivals as economic pressures continue into September.
Meanwhile, Missouri’s tourism sector is also facing difficulties, with 270,000 tourist arrivals from January to August, marking a 10.3% decrease compared to 301,000 in the previous year.
In August, Missouri experienced a 2.1% drop in arrivals, continuing a trend of declining numbers throughout the summer months.
Many of Missouri’s challenges stem from heightened travel costs and ongoing shifts in consumer travel preferences, with tourists increasingly opting for more affordable destinations.
As summer vacations taper off, industry experts predict a further decline of 15% in September arrivals for Missouri, as economic constraints continue to shape travel decision-making.
Texas, one of the larger tourist destinations, has also experienced a decline, reporting 95.8 million arrivals from January to August in 2025, reflecting an 8.6% decrease from 104.8 million in 2024.
August saw a minimal 1.1% drop, signaling an ongoing slowdown in the sector.
The factors at play in Texas closely mirror those faced by Michigan and other states, including rising travel costs, economic uncertainties, and shifts in consumer preferences towards budget-friendly travel options.
As the travel landscape continues to evolve, Texas is expected to see a 10% decline in tourist arrivals throughout September.
Florida’s tourism industry has also encountered a drop, reporting 17.7 million arrivals from January to August.
This marks an 8.7% decline from the 19.4 million arrivals recorded in 2024.
Interestingly, Florida’s August arrivals remained stable compared to the previous year, with no change reported.
Ongoing economic uncertainties, along with increased travel costs, are believed to contribute to Florida’s stagnation.
Additionally, competition from alternative destinations providing more economical options is likely diverting potential travelers to Florida.
Looking forward, predictions indicate that Florida may also face a further decline of 10% in arrivals as the peak summer season concludes and the focus shifts back to school schedules.
Alaska’s tourism sector has similarly faced challenges in 2025, with 333,000 total tourist arrivals through August, reflecting a 13.3% decrease from the previous year.
August itself saw a 4.2% decline, further emphasizing the ongoing issues facing the state’s tourism industry.
Alaska is noted for its natural beauty and adventure tourism; however, high travel costs and global inflation have negatively impacted tourist decisions.
In this context, competition from regions offering similar experiences at lower price points exacerbates the situation as economic challenges persist.
Forecasts for September suggest another 15% decline in arrivals, continuing the negative trend as fewer travelers are expected to visit during the shoulder months.
In August 2025, several other states also reported declines, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue.
Massachusetts experienced a slight 1.73% decrease in arrivals, following a strong growth pattern earlier in the year.
Illinois’s tourism numbers fell by 3%, marking a consistent trend of declines throughout the summer months.
New Mexico saw an August drop of 3%, sustaining a pattern of modest declines.
In Kentucky, arrivals decreased by 4%, a notable shift after a more robust performance in earlier months of the year.
Kansas faced a staggering 53% decline in arrivals during August, following impressive gains earlier in the summer.
Meanwhile, Texas’s minor 1.1% decline and Florida’s steady numbers highlight the complexities in measuring tourism health in major states.
California, Virginia, and others, show similarly slight declines, indicating that while some states manage to maintain visitor interest, overall trends suggest a growing concern within the U.S. tourism sector.
In conclusion, the decline in tourism across multiple states, including Michigan, Montana, Texas, Florida, and Alaska, underscores the impactful combination of economic pressure, rising travel costs, and shifts in traveler preferences.
Despite the challenges, many of these states continue to offer a range of distinct attractions that could foster recovery as the tourism landscape evolves.
As we look ahead, the fluctuating tourism figures reflect the seasonal nature of the industry, emphasizing the importance of adaptation and innovative strategies for attracting visitors in the coming months.
image source from：travelandtourworld
