Sunday, June 15, 2025
Florida has officially joined Texas, Tennessee, Oregon, and New York City in leading the biggest tourism boom of the year, as millions of Americans take more trips across the country even while Canadian visitors cancel travel in record numbers. Driven by a sharp rise in domestic demand, these five destinations have not only recovered from pandemic-era slumps but are now posting some of their highest growth figures in years—despite losing a significant share of international tourists. With US travel up nearly 6% and Canadian arrivals down as much as 70%, this unexpected surge proves that American travelers are more than filling the gap, fueling packed hotels, record-breaking event attendance, and rising tourism revenues from coast to coast.
Florida Stays on Top With Over 7 Percent Visitor Growth
Florida continues to lead the way. In just the first quarter of 2025, the Sunshine State recorded more than 41 million visitors, a jump of 7.2% over the same period last year. What’s striking is that this growth came even as Canadian visits plunged by nearly 40%, a direct result of the ongoing political and consumer backlash north of the border.
But Floridians aren’t worried. Orlando, home to major theme parks, reported a 9.4% increase in air passenger volume. Miami saw hotel occupancy climb to 82%, up from 77% in 2024. Cities like Tampa, Sarasota, and Fort Lauderdale have also reported rising bookings, with Floridians and out-of-state visitors from Georgia, the Carolinas, and the Midwest making up the difference.
From beach resorts to national parks and major sporting events, Florida is thriving on regional loyalty and sunshine demand—no passport required.
Texas Records 8.3 Percent Growth Across Major Metro Travel
Texas isn’t just holding its own—it’s booming. The Lone Star State is seeing an 8.3% increase in tourism activity across its major metro areas in 2025. Austin, which ranked as the fifth most popular U.S. summer destination, is reporting packed festivals, surging hotel stays, and lively nightlife drawing in younger crowds.
Dallas welcomed 27.6 million visitors in 2024, up 5.2% from the year before, and it’s set to break 29 million by the end of 2025. That growth is mirrored in San Antonio, where the historic River Walk, nearby Hill Country, and food scene have driven a 6.8% rise in visitor spending in Q1.
Fredericksburg, Texas—widely recognized as one of the fastest-growing wine tourism towns—continues to draw over 1.5 million visitors annually. The opening of its first full-service hotel in January 2025 is a bold sign of confidence in long-term growth.
Even without the steady stream of Canadians who used to cross the border for winter escapes and long-haul drives, Texas is winning big on domestic tourism power alone.
Tennessee Boasts a 10 Percent Summer Booking Increase
Tennessee has quietly become one of America’s tourism giants—and the numbers prove it. For summer 2025, hotel bookings across the state are up 10% year-over-year, and it’s not hard to see why. The Smoky Mountains remain the main draw, with Pigeon Forge leading the way thanks to a 12% increase in summer lodging and short-term rentals.
Dollywood continues to set attendance records, and the surrounding Great Smoky Mountains National Park has attracted 12.7 million visitors in the past 12 months. That’s keeping restaurants, lodges, and small businesses thriving.
Tennessee’s success isn’t just about natural beauty. Cities like Nashville and Chattanooga are welcoming more road trippers and weekenders than ever before, with live music, food tours, and scenic drives offering a laid-back escape that many Americans are craving. Even without Canadian road-trippers who once flocked to the Southeast, Tennessee is building a solid tourism economy from the ground up.
Oregon’s Bend Region Sees 9.6 Percent Jump in Overnight Stays
Oregon is another state on the rise—especially in regions like Bend and Portland. From July 2024 through March 2025, Bend alone saw a 9.6% increase in overnight stays, backed by more than $7.8 million in room tax collections. That’s a strong signal of sustained growth, especially considering the state’s reliance on outdoor tourism and eco-conscious travelers.
Portland is staging its own comeback. Hotel occupancy for summer 2025 is forecasted at 70%, a notable jump from 64% in 2024. Travelers are rediscovering the city’s food scene, riverfront attractions, and walkable neighborhoods. Visitors from neighboring Washington and California are filling the gap left by Canadians, whose numbers are still down more than 30% in Oregon year-over-year.
Unlike traditional vacation states, Oregon’s charm lies in its combination of adventure, affordability, and sustainability—and in 2025, that formula is clearly working.
New York City Nears Full Recovery With 4.2 Percent Visitor Growth
New York City is roaring back in a big way. The city hosted 64.3 million visitors in 2024, and projections for 2025 now place that number at 67 million, marking a 4.2% increase. Broadway attendance is up 7.5%, and hotel bookings for the first half of the year climbed 11% over the same period in 2024.
Even as Canadian travel to NYC drops by an estimated 28%, the city is seeing a huge surge in domestic travel. Visitors from Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Ohio, and Florida are fueling that growth, along with tourists attending major sporting events and international conferences.
Perhaps most importantly, tourism spending is thriving. The city expects to surpass $50 billion in tourism revenue by year’s end. From Times Square to Brooklyn’s indie art scene, travelers are back, and they’re spending.
Why the Boom Matters in a Year Without Canada
The decline in Canadian visitors this year is no small matter—especially for states that have historically relied on that market. From border towns to southern sun destinations, the impact has been deeply felt. In fact, Canadian visits to the U.S. have fallen by nearly 70% between February and September 2025 alone.
But the bigger story is that Americans have stepped in. Domestic travel is up 5.8%, according to the U.S. Travel Association. That’s being driven by more flexible work schedules, lower fuel prices, and a renewed focus on local discovery over international trips.
In other words, even without millions of Canadians coming south, the U.S. tourism machine is powering ahead.
Florida joins Texas, Tennessee, Oregon, and New York City in the biggest tourism boom of the year as soaring US travel demand offsets a sharp drop in Canadian visitors. Despite the ongoing boycott, millions of Americans are fueling record-breaking trips, hotel stays, and tourism revenue across these top destinations.
The 2025 tourism map looks very different than it did just a year ago—but the winners are clear. Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Oregon, and New York City are not only weathering the Canadian travel freeze—they’re thriving in spite of it. By leaning into what American travelers want right now—accessibility, affordability, variety, and experience—these destinations are turning a potential loss into a remarkable gain.
If this is what tourism looks like during a boycott, the future of U.S. travel is looking stronger than anyone expected.
