Miami Joins Fort Lauderdale, New York, Atlanta, Boston, Newark, and Others in Facing a Decline in Tourist Arrivals from Latin America Amid US Travel Freeze Last Year: Everything You Need to Know

Miami joins Fort Lauderdale, New York, Atlanta, Boston, Newark and others in facing a decline in tourist arrivals from Latin America, as economic pressures, currency fluctuations, shifting travel preferences and reduced air capacity helped fuel a broader US travel freeze last year. This downturn shows how even flagship gateways that once relied heavily on Latin American demand must now rethink their strategies, pricing and connectivity to stay competitive—setting the stage for everything you need to know about this changing landscape.

Miami, FL: A Dip in Latin American Arrivals

Miami, traditionally one of the most popular destinations for Latin American tourists, saw a decline of 6.5% in arrivals in 2025, dropping by 128,454 visitors. Known as the “Gateway to Latin America,” Miami has historically attracted large numbers of tourists from countries like Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico. The city offers a unique blend of Latin culture, vibrant nightlife, shopping, and beautiful beaches, making it a favorite for Latin American travelers. However, the decline in tourism in 2025 can be attributed to several factors, including economic challenges in Latin American countries, fluctuating exchange rates, and a reduction in flights due to the aftermath of the pandemic. Additionally, many Latin American tourists have shifted their travel preferences to other U.S. cities or Caribbean destinations, seeking more affordable options or experiences closer to home.

Despite the decline, Miami’s tourism industry continues to target Latin American travelers, with efforts to enhance cultural connections and expand travel options. The city is renowned for its Latin-infused culture, including Miami’s Little Havana and a variety of cultural events, making it a key destination for those looking to explore both American and Latin American influences. However, the reduction in Latin American tourists marks a noticeable shift for this iconic city.

Fort Lauderdale, FL: A Steep Decline in Latin American Visitors

Fort Lauderdale, another popular Florida destination for Latin American travelers, faced a significant drop of 12.8% in tourism in 2025, with a decrease of 41,528 visitors. Fort Lauderdale, known for its beaches, upscale shopping, and proximity to Miami, has long attracted visitors from Latin American countries, particularly from Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia. The city’s relaxed atmosphere, along with its vibrant boating culture and cruise industry, has made it a favored stop for Latin American tourists.

However, the downturn in 2025 can be attributed to several factors, including the growing competition from nearby cities like Miami and Orlando, which have stronger marketing campaigns targeting Latin American tourists. Additionally, global economic instability, changes in travel preferences, and reduced flight availability have had an impact on Fort Lauderdale’s tourism numbers. The increasing popularity of cruises to other Caribbean destinations and a shift in Latin American travelers seeking other U.S. cities or regional getaways has also contributed to the decline. Despite the challenges, Fort Lauderdale remains focused on promoting its unique offerings, particularly for the cruise and luxury travel sectors, to reignite its appeal to Latin American tourists.

New York, NY: Slight Drop in Latin American Arrivals

New York City, a global tourist hub and cultural capital, saw a slight decline of 3.7% in Latin American arrivals in 2025, with a decrease of 23,088 visitors. New York has long been a favorite destination for Latin American tourists, attracting visitors from countries like Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia. The city’s renowned landmarks, such as Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, and Central Park, combined with its diverse food scene and vibrant cultural offerings, have made it a prime destination for tourists from Latin America.

Despite its iconic status, the slight drop in Latin American arrivals can be attributed to various factors, including economic constraints, fluctuating exchange rates, and a reduced interest in long-haul travel due to global uncertainties. Additionally, the growing popularity of regional destinations and other major U.S. cities like Los Angeles or Miami has made it harder for New York to maintain its position as the top city for Latin American tourists. However, New York remains a central hub for Latin American visitors, with strong cultural and business ties to the region, and continues to be a significant player in global tourism.

Atlanta, GA: A Subtle Decline in Latin American Tourism

Atlanta, Georgia, saw a moderate 3.5% decline in Latin American tourist arrivals in 2025, with a decrease of 7,937 visitors. While Atlanta is not traditionally known as a top Latin American destination, the city has experienced growth in tourism from Latin American countries in recent years due to its large Hispanic community, business opportunities, and international airport. Cities like Mexico City, Sao Paulo, and Buenos Aires have direct flights to Atlanta, making it a convenient gateway for Latin American travelers visiting the U.S.

However, the subtle decline in Latin American arrivals in 2025 can be attributed to a variety of reasons. The rise of other regional U.S. cities that are more tailored to Latin American tastes, along with a shift in travel preferences to beach or cultural destinations, has slightly reduced Atlanta’s tourism share. Economic challenges in Latin American countries, as well as global travel trends, have made it more difficult for Atlanta to maintain the momentum it had in previous years. Despite the dip, the city continues to attract Latin American tourists, especially for business conferences, conventions, and events hosted in its thriving convention center.

Boston, MA: Struggling to Retain Latin American Visitors

Boston, Massachusetts, experienced a decline of 7.7% in Latin American tourist arrivals in 2025, with a drop of 4,689 visitors. While Boston has a rich history and is a significant cultural and academic hub, it has not traditionally been a primary destination for Latin American tourists compared to cities like Miami or New York. However, the city’s charm, academic institutions, and colonial history, including attractions like the Freedom Trail, have attracted Latin American visitors in recent years.

The decline in Latin American tourism to Boston can be attributed to several factors. Economic issues and shifting travel preferences in Latin American countries have led many tourists to choose other, more affordable or accessible U.S. destinations. Additionally, with Boston’s colder climate and less immediate appeal to Latin American visitors seeking warmer, more dynamic destinations, the city has faced challenges in maintaining growth in this market. The decrease also reflects a broader trend, with many Latin American tourists opting for destinations with more direct connections or more prominent cultural events. Despite this, Boston remains a rich and inviting destination for international travelers and continues to work on strengthening its appeal through cultural outreach and international marketing.

Newark/Teterboro, NJ: Small Drop in Latin American Tourism

Newark/Teterboro, New Jersey, saw a small decline of 1.8% in Latin American tourist arrivals in 2025, with a decrease of 1,807 visitors. Newark, situated near New York City, is a major hub for international flights, including those from Latin America, and has long been a convenient entry point for travelers coming to the U.S. from countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia. The proximity to New York’s attractions makes Newark an attractive stop for Latin American visitors, offering easy access to both the city and the surrounding region.

The slight decrease in arrivals from Latin America can be attributed to the general trend of more travelers opting for direct flights to other major U.S. cities or to destinations with more immediate appeal. While Newark remains a key entry point for international visitors, including those from Latin America, the competition from other gateway cities, coupled with the growing preference for more easily accessible destinations, has led to this minor decline. However, Newark remains an important international gateway, and efforts to improve its connectivity and amenities continue to make it a key player in U.S. tourism for Latin American visitors.

Decline in Latin American Tourism to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

Los Angeles, CA, and Washington, DC both experienced slight declines in Latin American tourist arrivals in 2025. While the decreases were marginal, they reflect shifting travel patterns and external factors influencing the tourism industry. Los Angeles, a global icon known for its entertainment industry, cultural diversity, and iconic attractions like Hollywood, saw a minor drop of 0.4% in arrivals. Similarly, Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital, home to iconic landmarks such as the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and the Smithsonian museums, faced a small decline of 0.6%. Despite these reductions, both cities remain top destinations for international tourists. The overall trend indicates that while the tourism industry in both cities faces minor challenges, their continued global appeal ensures that they remain significant players in attracting Latin American travelers.

Miami joins Fort Lauderdale, New York, Atlanta, Boston, Newark and others in facing a decline in tourist arrivals from Latin America, as high costs, weaker currencies and reduced flights fuel the wider US travel freeze last year.

Conclusion

Miami joins Fort Lauderdale, New York, Atlanta, Boston, Newark and others in facing a clear decline in tourist arrivals from Latin America, underlining how vulnerable even the biggest gateways are to shifting regional demand. This downturn, which helped fuel the broader US travel freeze last year, stems from a mix of high travel costs, weaker Latin American currencies, reduced flight options and changing preferences toward closer or better-value destinations. Together, these pressures explain why major US cities that once relied heavily on Latin American visitors must now rethink their strategies—truly encapsulating everything you need to know about this evolving trend.

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