New York City’s hotels are filled with visitors, but most of them aren’t international travelers, a new report finds.

The report, released by New York state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli on Thursday, found the number of international visitors reserving rooms at city hotels continues to lag because of trade and immigration policies coming out of Washington, D.C., as well as “geopolitical disruptions.”

What You Need To Know

A report released by New York state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli on Thursday found the number of international visitors reserving rooms at city hotels continues to lag because of trade and immigration policies coming out of Washington, D.C., as well as “geopolitical disruptions”

According to the report, the five boroughs welcomed around 65 million visitors in 2025, 52.4 million of whom, or 81%, were domestic travelers

The report found New York’s hotel industry remains strong, with an 84.1% occupancy rate in 2025 — the highest in the country for the third consecutive year, though still lower than 2019’s 87.5% rate

According to the report, the five boroughs welcomed around 65 million visitors in 2025, 52.4 million of whom, or 81%, were domestic travelers.

While 12.5 million international tourists visited the city last year, that number is lower than it was the year before.

“The city’s hotel industry has largely recovered from the pandemic. It is doing well, but it could be doing even better if international visitors returned more quickly,” DiNapoli said in a statement.

“Federal policies on trade and immigration, and other domestic and global geopolitical issues, are keeping some tourists away,” he added. “Despite the challenges, we expect the sector to continue to grow, but a complete recovery requires a return of international visitors and increased employment to keep up with demand.”

Still, the report found New York’s hotel industry remains strong, with an 84.1% occupancy rate in 2025 — the highest in the country for the third consecutive year, though still lower than 2019’s 87.5% rate.

Last year, 1,003 were operating in the city, up by 11.2% from 2020.