Nevada, Florida and Hawaii Lead US Tourism Growth, Attracting Millions of Visitors, Driving Economic Recovery, and Redefining Travel Trends in 2025 – Travel And Tour World

Report on the Decline of United States Tourism in 2025 and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

This report analyzes the significant and sustained downturn in the United States tourism sector, which has persisted for eight consecutive months and is projected to continue until the end of 2025. The decline in international visitor arrivals has profound implications for the nation’s progress toward key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). While international tourism faces a sharp decline, the domestic travel sector shows resilience, presenting an opportunity to foster more sustainable local tourism models. This analysis synthesizes data from multiple states and insights from industry leaders to provide a comprehensive overview of the current challenges and potential paths forward.

Analysis of Sector-Wide Decline and its Impact on SDG 8

The widespread tourism slump poses a direct threat to the achievement of SDG 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. The reduction in tourism revenue and visitor spending undermines local economies, jeopardizes employment, and slows economic progress in communities heavily reliant on the travel industry.

State-Level Impact Assessment

Data from 2025 reveals significant year-over-year declines in visitor numbers across numerous states, illustrating the scale of the economic challenge:

• Florida: Experienced a decrease of 3.5 million visitors, falling from 19.4 million in 2024 to 15.9 million in 2025.
• Michigan: Saw a drop from 14.4 million travelers to 10.9 million.
• Illinois: Recorded a decline from 6.8 million travelers to 5.5 million.
• Arizona: Lost 600,000 visitors, with numbers decreasing from 3.8 million to 3.2 million.
• Massachusetts: Witnessed a decline from 3.8 million travelers to 3.2 million.
• Hawaii: Registered a loss of 300,000 visitors, dropping from 1.8 million to 1.5 million.

Other states reported similarly concerning trends, further impacting regional progress on SDG 8:

• Colorado: A 40% drop in tourism, with a 58% reduction in Canadian visitors.
• Montana: A 37% decline in Canadian spending near Glacier National Park.
• Maine: A 28% decrease in Canadian visitors.
• New York: A projected 17% fall in international arrivals, equivalent to 2 million fewer visitors.

Contributing Factors and Challenges to Sustainable Tourism

The downturn is attributed to a combination of factors that challenge the creation of a stable and sustainable tourism economy as envisioned by the SDGs.

1. Economic Pressures: Rising travel costs and broader economic uncertainty are discouraging international travel.
2. Shifting Consumer Preferences: Evolving travel patterns and preferences are impacting traditional tourism markets.
3. Policy and Geopolitical Climate: Industry leaders cite higher visa fees and negative sentiment fueled by trade disputes as significant deterrents for international visitors, particularly from Canada and Western Europe.

Industry Perspectives and the Need for Partnerships (SDG 17)

Collaboration among stakeholders, a core principle of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), is critical to addressing the tourism decline. Warnings from leading industry associations underscore the urgency of a coordinated response.

Forecasts from Global and National Bodies

• World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC): Projects a $12.5 billion drop in international visitor spending for 2025, noting the U.S. as an outlier in declining tourism revenue.
• Tourism Economics: Revised its forecast for international arrivals from an 8.8% increase to an 8.2% decrease, terming it a “sustained setback.”
• U.S. Travel Association: Warns that the decline in Canadian visitors alone could result in the loss of 14,000 American jobs, directly impacting targets under SDG 8.

Insights on Sector-Specific Challenges

Leaders within the hospitality sector have identified specific pressures that threaten the stability of local communities and economies, linking directly to SDG 11.

• Labor and Social Factors: Ted Pappageorge of Nevada’s Culinary Workers Union noted that fears among Latino visitors regarding immigration policies have led to a slowdown, affecting community well-being.
• Hospitality Sector Viability: Amanda Hite, president of STR, highlighted that economic uncertainty, inflation, and competition are causing declining hotel occupancy rates, straining businesses that are central to local economies.

Domestic Travel: A Resilient Pillar for Sustainable Communities (SDG 11)

In contrast to the international downturn, the domestic travel market provides a significant opportunity to support SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by strengthening local economies and promoting regional tourism.

Key Domestic Travel Statistics for 2025

• Travel Intent: 92% of Americans are planning to travel domestically.
• Increased Travel Frequency: 56% of those travelers expect to travel more than they did in 2024.
• Economic Contribution: Domestic travel spending is projected to grow by 3.9%, reaching $1.35 trillion.

This robust domestic demand, particularly in “drive-to markets,” helps cushion the economic impact on communities, supporting local businesses and preserving cultural and natural heritage, which are key components of sustainable community development.

Conclusion: A Call for Strategic Adaptation for the 2030 Agenda

The U.S. tourism industry is at a critical juncture. The sharp decline in international tourism presents a formidable challenge to achieving SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). However, the strength of the domestic market offers a pathway to bolster SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). To align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a strategic pivot is necessary. This requires collaborative action (SDG 17) to create policies that not only revive international interest but also cultivate a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable domestic tourism ecosystem that supports local economies and communities for the long term.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article’s central theme is the economic impact of the declining tourism industry in the United States. It discusses reduced business revenue, potential job losses, and a broader national economic downturn, all of which are core components of SDG 8. The reliance of state economies on tourism for growth and employment is a recurring point.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Specifically, this goal is relevant through its focus on sustainable tourism. The article highlights a crisis in a major service industry (tourism) and implies the need for more resilient and sustainable strategies to ensure its long-term viability. The discussion about adapting strategies to attract visitors and foster stability relates to developing sustainable tourism practices.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article mentions challenges in international cooperation, such as “higher visa fees” and “the trade war—especially with Canada and the European Union,” which are hindering tourism. It also highlights the role of various organizations like the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Tourism Economics, and the U.S. Travel Association, which represent public-private and civil society partnerships working to address the tourism decline.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 8.9: “By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.” The article directly relates to this target by describing a major downturn in the tourism sector. The concluding statements that the industry “will need to adapt, with strategies that focus on attracting both domestic and international visitors” and “rethinking policies to foster long-term growth and stability” underscore the urgent need for effective policies as outlined in this target.
• Target 8.5: “By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men…” The article explicitly points to the negative impact on employment. The U.S. Travel Association’s projection that a “drop in Canadian visitors alone could result in the loss of 14,000 American jobs” is a direct connection to this target, highlighting how the tourism slump threatens employment.
• Target 12.b: “Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism…” The article is built upon extensive monitoring and data collection from various states and organizations. The detailed tables showing monthly visitor statistics for Florida, Hawaii, Michigan, and others are examples of monitoring tools used to track the economic performance of the tourism sector, which is a key aspect of its sustainability.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 8.9 (Promote Sustainable Tourism): The article is rich with indicators measuring the health of the tourism industry.
  • Number of tourist/visitor arrivals: The article provides specific annual figures, such as Florida’s decline from 19.4 million in 2024 to 15.9 million in 2025, and Hawaii’s drop from 1.8 million to 1.5 million.
  • International visitor spending: The WTTC’s forecast of a $12.5 billion drop in international spending for 2025 serves as a direct financial indicator.
  • Percentage change in tourism: The article cites specific percentage declines, such as a 40% drop in tourism for Colorado and a 20% decline for Texas.
• For Target 8.5 (Full and Productive Employment):
  • Number of jobs supported by tourism: The article implies this indicator by stating the potential “loss of 14,000 American jobs” due to a decrease in Canadian visitors, directly linking tourism levels to employment figures.
• For Target 12.b (Monitor Sustainable Tourism):
  • Monthly and annual tourism statistics: The detailed tables for Florida, Hawaii, Michigan, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Arizona, which track visitor numbers month-by-month and year-over-year, are themselves indicators used for monitoring the industry’s performance.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: travelandtourworld.com