Overseas arrivals to the United States continued to decline in September 2025
Overseas tourism to the United States softened in September 2025, with arrivals from the top 20 long-haul markets falling 6% year-on-year, according to preliminary data excluding Canada and Mexico land crossings. The month delivered 2.1 million visitors, with sharp contrasts across source markets. Data were available only this week due to the shutdown of the federal administration.
The United Kingdom remained firmly in the top spot, sending 373,675 travelers, though arrivals dipped 3.2%. Japan surged to second place for the month, posting a 7.8% increase with 194,092 arrivals, reflecting strong travel demand despite a weaker yen. Germany, typically a key autumn market, slid to third as inbound numbers plunged 20%.
India and China, two of the largest emerging long-haul markets, also recorded double-digit monthly declines, down 11.3% and 10.9%, respectively. South Korea dropped 13.5%, while France saw an 11.9% slump.
A few bright spots emerged with as some tourist markets progressed on “elective affinities.” These are countries which generally see the current US administration as favorable to their own government. As an example, Taiwan climbed 10.2% in September, Argentina edged up 3.4%, and Israel delivered the strongest monthly performance with a 35.2% spike in arrivals.
Overseas arrivals are still growing on year-to-date
Year-to-date, the top 20 overseas markets collectively grew 1.2%, reaching 18.6 million travelers. The U.K. remains the largest source market for 2025 with 3.0 million arrivals, up 1.4%. India ranks second despite a 5% decline, while Japan holds third place with a 6.1% gain. Brazil continues its upward trajectory with a 2.1% increase, and South Korea rebounded strongly on a cumulative basis, rising 8.7%.
Meanwhile, several major European economies are weighing down the overall growth picture. Germany is down 11.3% year-to-date, France is off 6.3%, and the Netherlands has dropped 7.3%. Meanwhile, Argentina posted one of the year’s most notable surges, climbing 17.3% to more than 613,000 arrivals.
Despite September’s setbacks, the broader 2025 trend remains modestly positive, although this growth seems to weaken month after month.
| Rank | Country of Residence | Arrivals YTD 2025 | % Change from 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United Kingdom | 3,018,273 | +1.4% |
| 2 | India | 1,647,662 | –5.0% |
| 3 | Japan | 1,466,665 | +6.1% |
| 4 | Brazil | 1,378,994 | +2.1% |
| 5 | Germany | 1,326,373 | –11.3% |
| 6 | China (PRC) | 1,245,924 | –3.1% |
| 7 | France | 1,196,020 | –6.3% |
| 8 | South Korea | 1,187,959 | +8.7% |
| 9 | Italy | 895,288 | +6.5% |
| 10 | Colombia | 746,098 | –0.1% |
| 11 | Australia | 731,362 | –4.9% |
| 12 | Spain | 683,600 | +1.6% |
| 13 | Argentina | 613,920 | +17.3% |
| 14 | Netherlands | 438,468 | –7.3% |
| 15 | Dominican Republic | 385,916 | +0.5% |
| 16 | Ireland | 354,148 | –1.0% |
| 17 | Israel | 353,185 | +13.3% |
| 18 | Ecuador | 332,893 | –10.6% |
| 19 | Taiwan | 330,450 | +6.1% |
| 20 | Poland | 299,495 | +4.9% |
(Source: https://www.trade.gov/i-94-arrivals-program)
Related News Stories: Overseas tourist arrivals collapse in the United States The USA confirm a further decrease in international total arrivals in ... Romania tourism grows in 1H 25 thanks to international arrivals Tunisia tourism records 11% growth in international arrivals in H1 ... Brazil tourist arrivals up nearly 50% Sri Lanka tourism growing again by over 15.5% in first half 2025 27 million international arrivals forecast for Italy this summer Las Vegas tourism plunge : blame greed and U.S. politics Malaysia tourist arrivals grow 20% Brazil posts record tourist arrivals in 2024
newadmin
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11