Published on
November 14, 2025
US saw a 1.87% decline in Mexico’s tourist arrivals amid the government shutdown, joining Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and more in propelling the travel slowdown and record drop in air arrivals last month. The ongoing US government shutdown has had a far-reaching impact on international tourism, with several key markets experiencing a noticeable drop in the number of visitors arriving by air. Mexico, traditionally one of the largest sources of US-bound tourists, is no exception. In October 2025, Mexico’s air arrivals dropped from 464,657 to 455,980, marking a significant decrease amid the ongoing disruptions.
This decline in travel figures is part of a broader trend, with countries like Canada, the UK, France, Germany, and Spain also experiencing sharp declines in tourist arrivals. The government shutdown has led to travel delays, uncertainty, and disruptions in both flight schedules and visa processing, causing many international travelers to reconsider or delay their trips. As a result, the US tourism industry has witnessed its worst air arrival figures in recent months. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind these declines, how they are impacting key travel markets, and what can be expected as the situation unfolds.
Mexico’s Tourist Arrival on the US Takes a Small Dip Amid Shutdown
In October 2024, Mexico saw 464,657 tourists arriving by air to the United States. However, in October 2025, this number dropped to 455,980, marking a decline of approximately 1.87%. This decrease comes amid the US government shutdown, which has had ripple effects on travel and tourism. While Mexico has long been a top source of tourists for the US, these figures reflect the broader impact of uncertainty and disruptions in the travel industry. Despite the drop, Mexico remains one of the strongest markets for US-bound air travel, with a resilient tourism base. The ongoing efforts to address logistical challenges during the shutdown could aid in reversing the trend in the coming months.
Canada Sees Steep Decline in Tourist Arrivals to the US
Canada, traditionally a significant contributor to US tourism, saw a sharp decline in October 2025. The arrival numbers dropped from 932,169 in October 2024 to 806,197 in the same month of 2025, reflecting a decline of approximately 13.5%. This reduction is largely attributed to the complications arising from the US government shutdown, which delayed flights, disrupted travel plans, and led to a general sense of uncertainty. Canadian travelers, who are highly sensitive to disruptions in cross-border travel, may have opted for other destinations or postponed their trips. However, with travel restrictions easing and government operations stabilizing, Canada is likely to see a rebound once the shutdown’s effects subside.
UK’s Tourist Arrival to the US Declines Amid Shutdown Challenges
Tourist arrivals from the United Kingdom into the United States also saw a notable decline in October 2025. From 514,305 arrivals in October 2024, the numbers dropped to 485,769, a decrease of about 5.56%. UK travelers, who typically make up a significant portion of international visitors, have been impacted by the US government shutdown and the subsequent travel delays. Additionally, political and economic uncertainties surrounding international travel may have played a role in this drop. Despite this setback, the UK remains an important market, and recovery is expected once the US government stabilizes and restores confidence in air travel.
France’s Tourist Arrival to the US Takes a Hit, Reflecting Shutdown Impact
France experienced a similar decline in air arrivals to the US in October 2025, with a drop from 173,323 in 2024 to 157,237, representing a decline of approximately 9.3%. French travelers, like many other international visitors, faced challenges stemming from the US government shutdown, which disrupted travel schedules and potentially deterred spontaneous visits. The uncertainty surrounding flight schedules and border control procedures likely contributed to the decline in numbers. However, France’s position as a key European tourism market means that with the return of stability, French tourism to the US should recover in the near future.
Germany’s Tourist Arrival to the US Declines Slightly Amid Shutdown
Germany’s tourist arrival numbers also reflected the effects of the US government shutdown. In October 2024, Germany saw 251,070 visitors arriving by air to the United States. By October 2025, this number had decreased to 240,119, showing a decline of around 4.36%. The reduction in German visitors is indicative of the broader regional impact of the shutdown, which likely led to disruptions in both scheduled flights and visa processing. Germany continues to be an important market, and once the US government shutdown concludes, these numbers are expected to rebound, especially with Germany’s strong ties to the US tourism sector.
Spain’s Tourist Arrival to the US Experiences a Small Decline
Spain saw the smallest decline among the countries listed, with a drop from 66,165 in October 2024 to 61,182 in October 2025, a decline of approximately 7.5%. While this represents a noticeable drop, it is less pronounced than some other markets. The decline is still a result of the US government shutdown and its negative effects on international travel. The Spanish tourism market remains vital to US-bound travel, and with the return to normalcy in US government functions, it is likely that Spanish visitors will return to the US in full force, bolstering the tourism numbers once again.
Others Propelling US Travel Freefall with Record Drop
Several Caribbean nations have experienced significant declines in US-bound air tourism in October 2025. Jamaica saw a 22% drop, from 36,859 to 28,689 visitors. Cuba’s numbers fell by 21%, from 30,457 to 23,879. The Dominican Republic dropped 4.3%, from 101,314 to 96,915, while the Bahamas experienced a minimal decline of 0.6%, from 32,980 to 32,784. These reductions reflect the widespread impact of the US government shutdown, which caused disruptions and uncertainty in travel, contributing to a notable decrease in arrivals from key Caribbean markets.
Mexico, joins Canada, UK, France, Germany, Spain, and others, to propel the US travel slowdown amid the government shutdown, marking a record drop in air arrivals last month due to disruptions.
Conclusion
Mexico, along with Canada, UK, France, Germany, Spain, and more, has played a significant role in propelling the US travel slowdown amid the government shutdown. This shutdown led to widespread travel disruptions, contributing to a record drop in air arrivals last month. As the situation stabilizes, the recovery of international tourism to the US will depend on the resolution of government operations and the restoration of travel confidence.
