Some New York City officials are concerned the number of international tourists visiting the city will drop by as much as 17%, compared to last year, blaming the tariffs and hardline immigration policies set by the Trump administration. According to a report released in May by New York City’s Tourism and Conventions agency, officials expect a drop of 3.5 million tourists from previous estimates.
Adam Sacks, president of tourism consulting firm Tourism Economics, called the tariffs a “divisive policy” and said that “high-profile detainments” of immigrants will also adversely affect tourism in NYC. A decline in foreign visitors will hurt a part of the city’s economy that has shown strong signs of recovery post-pandemic.
The number of overseas travelers fell 2.4% in February, when compared with 2024, and dropped 11.6% in March, according to the National Travel and Tourism Office.
New York is also expecting fewer domestic visitors this year than previously estimated, revising its prediction to 52 million from 53 million.
During the first quarter, U.S. consumer confidence worsened on concerns about higher prices and the economic outlook amid Trump’s escalating tariffs. In March, sentiment tumbled to its lowest level in four years.
Source: Crain’s New York Business
