Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) — New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said recent policies at the federal level — including higher tariffs and immigration restrictions — are hurting tourism in the state.

There was a steep decline in visitors from Canada in 2025 — around 21%, a decrease of some 3.6 million visitors, according to DiNapoli.

New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s newsletter released April 2, 2026 on federal tariffs’ impact on tourism in the state.

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However, Don Jeffries with Visit Rochester said while New York is taking an overall hit in revenue and foot traffic, Rochester is not.

“We have seen definitely a decline in foot traffic from Canada,” said Jeffries, adding that hotels have felt it the most. “But we’ve been very, very fortunate because our meeting and convention business, our sports business, the film business, the leisure travel have made up for it.”

Jeffries said border cities like Buffalo and areas like the 1,000 Islands have felt the Canadian cessation far more than the Flower City.

But for some specific attractions — like the Rochester Museum and Science Center — the loss of Canadian customers has caused them to take notice.

Kira Sandoval with RMSC said in the first quarter of 2024, they had the highest number of visitors from the prior few years. In quarter one of 2025, they saw a dip of 53%. In the first quarter of 2026 — compared to 2024, a drop of 59%.

Shane Rhinewald with the Strong National Museum of Play said they have seen a “sizable decline” in attendance from Canadian tourists. However, it has not had a noticeable impact on their operations.

Eliza Benington with the George Eastman Museum said “We have seen a slight drop in international travel, mostly the complete drop in motorcoach tour groups from Canada. However, the numbers have not been significant and we’re still seeing a good number of individual visitors from Canada.”

All that said, taking a more macro-focus on the region, Jeffries said Rochester is a “drive market” where the domestic draw is going to be a seller for American families.

“Most people don’t realize that Rochester is within a five-hour drive time for a third of the population of the United States,” he said.

Jeffries said in this area, there’s always something going on that will attract those tourists.

“Genesee Country Village Museum, (the) Museum and Science Center, the Red Wings, the Amerks,” he said. “We’ve got so many things to offer. And the festivals. We are the capital of upstate New York festivals.”