ALBANY, NY (WRGB)- New York State is seeing a sharp drop in international tourism and exports, and state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is blaming federal tariffs for the downturn.
DiNapoli said visits from international tourists have dropped by millions, a decline he said is hurting the state’s economy.
The state saw 176,000 fewer international travelers arriving by air or sea last year, a 3% decrease. California was the only state with a larger drop.
The impact has been especially pronounced near the Canadian border. Travel from Canada fell by more than 21%, a decrease of nearly 3.6 million visitors. DiNapoli also said exports to Canada declined by $3.8 billion due to tariffs.
Fewer visitors can mean less spending and fewer jobs in hotels and restaurants.
Gov. Kathy Hochul has also been speaking out about federal tariffs, meeting with restaurant and business owners across the state and calling for money to be returned to New Yorkers.
Hochul at a roundtable last month said, “So, we are suing for the $13.5 billion that we believe is out to us. I want to see that money. I don’t care if Donald Trump put his name on the check I don’t care just get it back to New Yorkers because this money is owed to us.”
Hochul said the money amounts to about $1,751 per household.
DiNapoli’s report also found international travelers spent nearly $17 billion in New York in 2024, but 2025 data showed no growth.
DiNapoli also cited a steep decline in visits to state parks and from overseas travelers, even as New York remains a top U.S. destination for tourists.