Vermont Joins California, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, and Others in Experiencing A Successive Decline in US Tourism for Nine Straight Months in 2025: Everything You Need to Know
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In 2025, Vermont joins California, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, and others in facing a successive decline in U.S. tourism for nine straight months. Economic pressures, competition, and shifting travel preferences are driving this ongoing downturn. Vermont, in particular, has seen a 28.69% decrease in tourist arrivals from 1.886 million in 2024 to 1.345 million in 2025. This trend has been mirrored in other states, with key regions such as California and Washington also experiencing declines, though varying in intensity. While Idaho and Nevada report similar struggles, with Montana and Vermont experiencing severe downturns, the root causes are the same: rising travel costs, visa complexities, and a shift in travel behavior, with international tourists increasingly seeking alternatives closer to home, like Canada and Mexico.
These factors have collectively led to a decline in the U.S. tourism market, resulting in significant consequences for local businesses, attractions, and the hospitality sector across the states. As states like California, Washington, and Vermont deal with declining visitor numbers, there’s an urgent need for reimagined tourism strategies to reinvigorate these industries and reverse the trend.
Vermont’s Tourism Decline: A Look at 2025 and 2024 Statistics
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Vermont has experienced a 28.69% decline in tourist arrivals for the period from January to August 2025, with a total of 1.345 million visitors compared to 1.886 million during the same period in 2024. This trend is reflected throughout the months, with significant downturns observed in key tourist months. September will also see a fall, adding to the overall decline in visitors. July and August saw declines of 37.43% and 33.60% respectively, while March and April faced year-over-year decreases of nearly 30%. The continuous drop across multiple months suggests a challenging year for the state’s tourism industry, which may be facing pressure from economic factors, evolving travel trends, and increased competition from other destinations. This decline has likely affected local businesses and communities that rely heavily on tourism, highlighting the need for renewed efforts to attract visitors and support the state’s economy.
| Month | 2025 (FYTD) | 2024 | YOY Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 148K | 136K | 8.82 |
| Feb | 133K | 143K | -6.99 |
| Mar | 140K | 199K | -29.65 |
| Apr | 126K | 179K | -29.61 |
| May | 137K | 210K | -34.76 |
| Jun | 174K | 264K | -34.09 |
| Jul | 234K | 374K | -37.43 |
| Aug | 253K | 381K | -33.60 |
| Total | 1.345M | 1.886M | -28.69 |
California’s Tourism Decline: A Look at 2025 and 2024 Data
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California has seen a 1.43% decline in its tourism numbers for 2025, with a total of 62.2 million visitors from January to August, compared to 63.1 million in the same period of 2024. The figures show a mixed pattern across the months, with January seeing stability, while months like June and February experienced more notable drops of 3.75% and 2.86% respectively. September will also see a fall, adding to the challenges faced by the state’s tourism industry. Despite the overall decrease, the state’s tourism industry continues to be a major contributor to the local economy, though these declining numbers suggest a need for strategies to attract and retain visitors. Efforts to revive interest in key attractions and ensure competitive offerings will be critical in reversing this downward trend in the latter part of the year.
| Month | 2025 (FYTD) | 2024 | YOY Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7.9M | 7.9M | 0.00 |
| Feb | 6.8M | 7.0M | -2.86 |
| Mar | 7.7M | 7.8M | -1.28 |
| Apr | 7.8M | 7.7M | 1.30 |
| May | 7.8M | 7.9M | -1.27 |
| Jun | 7.7M | 8.0M | -3.75 |
| Jul | 8.3M | 8.5M | -2.35 |
| Aug | 8.2M | 8.3M | -1.20 |
| Total | 62.2M | 63.1M | -1.43 |
Washington’s Tourism Decline: A Look at 2025 and 2024 Statistics
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Washington has experienced a 16.29% decline in tourist arrivals for the period from January to August 2025, with a total of 8.025 million visitors, compared to 9.587 million during the same period in 2024. The data highlights a downward trend across nearly every month, with March showing the steepest drop of 22.67%. September will also see a fall, which will add to the overall challenges facing the state’s tourism industry. Other months such as May and July also reported significant declines of 23.17% and 20.00%, respectively. While January saw a 20.05% increase compared to 2024, the overall pattern reflects a challenging year for Washington’s tourism industry. This decline may be attributed to various factors, including changing travel trends, economic pressures, and competition from other states offering more attractive or affordable vacation options. Washington will need to reassess its tourism strategies and attract more visitors to reverse the negative trend for the rest of the year.
| Month | 2025 (FYTD) | 2024 | YOY Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 1.0M | 833K | 20.05 |
| Feb | 826K | 954K | -13.42 |
| Mar | 928K | 1.2M | -22.67 |
| Apr | 870K | 1.1M | -20.91 |
| May | 922K | 1.2M | -23.17 |
| Jun | 979K | 1.2M | -18.42 |
| Jul | 1.2M | 1.5M | -20.00 |
| Aug | 1.3M | 1.6M | -18.75 |
| Total | 8.025M | 9.587M | -16.29 |
Missouri’s Tourism Decline: A Look at 2025 and 2024 Statistics
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Missouri has experienced a 8.81% decline in tourist arrivals for the period from January to August 2025, with a total of 209.0K visitors, compared to 229.2K during the same period in 2024. The data shows consistent downturns across several months, with June facing the sharpest drop of 20.81%, followed by April with a 15.38% decrease. September will also see a fall, contributing to the overall decline in Missouri’s tourism. Other months such as May and July also saw declines of 9.56% and 10.72%, respectively. While January and February had relatively smaller declines, the overall trend indicates a slowdown in tourism for the state. Factors contributing to this drop could include economic challenges, shifting travel trends, or even competition from other regions offering more appealing vacation options. Missouri’s tourism industry will need to reassess its strategies to attract more visitors and counteract the impact of this decline.
| Month | 2025 (FYTD) | 2024 | YOY Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25.0K | 26.2K | -4.58 |
| Feb | 26.7K | 27.0K | -1.11 |
| Mar | 34.1K | 34.6K | -1.45 |
| Apr | 22.0K | 26.0K | -15.38 |
| May | 22.7K | 25.1K | -9.56 |
| Jun | 29.3K | 37.0K | -20.81 |
| Jul | 30.8K | 34.5K | -10.72 |
| Aug | 18.4K | 18.8K | -2.13 |
| Total | 209.0K | 229.2K | -8.81 |
Idaho’s Tourism Decline: A Look at 2025 and 2024 Statistics
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Idaho has experienced a 7.28% decline in tourist arrivals for the period from January to August 2025, with a total of 242.0K visitors, compared to 261.0K during the same period in 2024. The data reflects a mixed trend, with notable decreases in key months such as April, which saw a drop of 20.22%, and August, which experienced a significant decline of 30.87%. September will also see a fall, adding to the overall challenges faced by the state’s tourism industry. While January and July saw increases in visitors of 19.59% and 10.63% respectively, the overall trend indicates a slowdown in tourism for the state. Contributing factors could include shifting travel patterns, economic uncertainty, or increased competition from other states. Idaho’s tourism industry will need to focus on targeted strategies to attract more visitors and reverse the declining trend, particularly as the state enters the latter months of the year.
| Month | 2025 (FYTD) | 2024 | YOY Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 23.2K | 19.4K | 19.59 |
| Feb | 19.3K | 19.4K | -0.52 |
| Mar | 22.7K | 22.0K | 3.18 |
| Apr | 21.3K | 26.7K | -20.22 |
| May | 25.5K | 27.5K | -7.27 |
| Jun | 34.3K | 34.1K | 0.59 |
| Jul | 48.9K | 44.2K | 10.63 |
| Aug | 46.8K | 67.7K | -30.87 |
| Total | 242.0K | 261.0K | -7.28 |
Montana’s Tourism Decline: A Look at 2025 and 2024 Statistics
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Montana has experienced a 4.56% decline in tourist arrivals for the period from January to August 2025, with a total of 1.07 million visitors, compared to 1.12 million during the same period in 2024. The data reveals a steady decrease across several months, with notable drops in key months such as May and August, which saw declines of 22.29% and 21.61%, respectively. March and April also experienced significant downturns, with reductions of 18.20% and 20.58%. September will also see a fall, continuing the overall trend of reduced tourism. While January showed a small growth of 5.68%, the overall trend points to a slowdown in Montana’s tourism sector. Contributing factors to this decline could include external economic pressures, changing travel preferences, and competition from other popular destinations offering more diverse or affordable experiences. With the overall decline, Montana’s tourism industry will need to adapt its strategies to regain its appeal and attract more visitors for the remainder of the year.
| Month | 2025 (FYTD) | 2024 | YOY Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 67K | 63.4K | 5.68 |
| Feb | 61K | 63.9K | -4.54 |
| Mar | 66.5K | 81.3K | -18.20 |
| Apr | 60.2K | 75.8K | -20.58 |
| May | 75.3K | 96.9K | -22.29 |
| Jun | 110K | 134K | -17.91 |
| Jul | 166K | 196K | -15.31 |
| Aug | 156K | 199K | -21.61 |
| Total | 1.07M | 1.12M | -4.56 |
Tourism Declines Across Key US States
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Michigan’s Tourism Decline: Michigan experienced a 6.32% decline in tourism, with arrivals dropping from 9.5 million in 2024 to 8.9 million in 2025. Several months, including February and April, saw decreases of over 10%. September projections suggest the downturn will continue, highlighting concerns for the state’s tourism sector.
Ohio’s Tourism Decline: Ohio’s tourism saw an 8.46% decrease, dropping from 197.4K in 2024 to 180.7K in 2025. April experienced the largest decline at 14.22%. However, September projections show a 71.88% rebound, indicating potential for recovery despite a challenging year.
New Mexico’s Tourism Decline: New Mexico’s tourism dropped by 18.92%, from 2.33 million in 2024 to 1.89 million in 2025. The biggest declines occurred in March and February with reductions exceeding 17%. September projections suggest the trend will continue, pressing the need for revitalization strategies.
Wisconsin’s Mixed Tourism Trends: Wisconsin experienced a 3.01% decline in tourism from 2.13 million in 2024 to 2.18 million in 2025. Despite increases in May and July, months like February and April saw reductions, requiring focused efforts to sustain growth and counterbalance the decline.
Mississippi’s Tourism Decline: Mississippi faced a 17.9% drop in tourism, with fluctuating visitor numbers throughout the year. This decline suggests a need for immediate action to recover lost visitor numbers and maintain the state’s tourism sector.
Florida’s Tourism Decline: Florida’s tourism decreased by 8.8%, from 19.4 million in 2024 to 17.7 million in 2025. While some months saw slight increases, global issues and rising costs continued to pressure the state’s tourism industry.
New Jersey’s Tourism Decline: New Jersey experienced a 8.57% decline in tourism, with 6.4 million visitors in 2025 compared to 7.0 million in 2024. Although August showed a slight increase, significant declines were seen in February and October, requiring action to reverse the downward trend.
New York’s Tourism Decline: New York faced a 10.53% drop in tourism, from 24.7 million in 2024 to 22.1 million in 2025. August saw an 11.63% decline, contributing to the overall downturn and underscoring the challenge of maintaining tourism in major global hubs.
Texas’ Tourism Decline: Texas saw a 2.56% decline in tourism, from 70.4 million in 2024 to 68.6 million in 2025. Despite a slight decrease in August, the state’s tourism remains relatively stable, though there are signs of gradual decline.
Hawaii’s Tourism Decline: Hawaii experienced a 5.56% decrease in visitors, with 1.7 million tourists in 2025 compared to 1.8 million in 2024. This continued reduction in tourist numbers reflects a broader national trend of declining visitation.
Virginia’s Tourism Decline: Virginia saw an 8.63% decline in tourism, with 85.7 million visitors in 2025 compared to 93.8 million in 2024. The decrease has put pressure on local businesses and the hospitality sector, stressing the need for recovery initiatives.
Nevada’s Tourism Decline: Nevada faced an 11.3% decline, particularly in Las Vegas, with steep reductions in tourism by June 2025. The state’s tourism industry is grappling with a significant dip, highlighting the challenges in sustaining visitor interest.
Colorado’s Tourism Decline: Colorado saw a 40%+ drop in visits to Aspen and Breckenridge, signaling major challenges in key tourist destinations, reflecting the broader impact of declining visitation across the state.
Key Reasons of US Tourism Decline
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- Economic Pressures: Rising travel costs and a strong U.S. dollar are making it more expensive for international visitors to travel to the U.S.
- Visa Complexities: The increasingly complicated and costly visa process has deterred tourists from countries like the UK, France, and South Korea, pushing them towards destinations with fewer barriers.
- Changing Global Travel Trends: Tourists are increasingly opting for destinations with less travel hassle, such as Canada and Mexico, which offer attractive alternatives with improved tourism infrastructure and more affordable options.
- Rising Competition from Neighboring Countries: Canada, in particular, has strengthened its tourism sector, offering diverse attractions, affordability, and easier access for travelers, pulling visitors away from the U.S.
- Political and Travel Restrictions: Countries like France and South Korea have been impacted by political tensions and travel restrictions, pushing tourists to choose more accessible destinations.
- Increased Regional Focus: More travelers are now exploring regional vacation options due to convenience, cost savings, and shifting travel preferences, which are contributing to the decline in U.S. tourism.
Vermont saw a 28.69% decline in tourism, joining California, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, and others in facing a successive decline in US tourism for nine straight months, driven by economic pressures, competition, and shifting travel preferences
Conclusion
Vermont saw a 28.69% decline in tourism, joining California, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, and others in experiencing a successive decline in US tourism for nine straight months. This ongoing downturn is largely driven by economic pressures, increased competition from neighboring countries like Canada, and shifting travel preferences towards more accessible and affordable destinations. As these states face similar challenges, it’s clear that a broader shift in global travel dynamics, including visa complexities and higher travel costs, is contributing to this trend. For the U.S. tourism industry to recover, states must reassess their strategies, focusing on revitalizing local attractions, improving accessibility, and adapting to changing traveler behavior.
