Philadelphia experienced a decline in international tourism last year, with visits from Canadians dropping sharply as part of a broader nationwide trend, writes Mike D’Onofrio for AXIOS Philadelphia.
This marks the first decline since 2020, when the pandemic brought most travel to a halt. Although both the city and the nation are expected to see a rebound in international tourism in 2026 driven by several major events, policies under the Trump administration, such as tariffs, anti-foreigner rhetoric, and an immigration crackdown, could temper that growth.
Last year, Philadelphia saw a 14 percent drop in international visitors compared to 2024. The decline amounts to roughly 168,000 fewer visitors supporting the city’s restaurants, hotels, and other businesses.
Canadians accounted for most of this decrease. As the city’s largest international market, Canada sent about 125,000 fewer tourists, representing a decline of nearly 25 percent from the prior year.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia International Airport saw international traffic decline by around five percent in 2025 compared to 2024, translating to approximately 14,400 fewer passengers moving through its terminals.
However, the city recorded gains in several markets, with visits from Mexico up 8 percent and those from China increasing 5 percent.
Read more about the declines and trends from Philadelphia’s 2025 tourism in AXIOS Philadelphia.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on PHILADELPHIA Today in February 2026.
