Staggering drop in LA tourism as rest of California sees spike in visitors

Los Angeles has experienced a decline in tourism for the first time since the pandemic amid gains in nearly every other county in the state.

According to a recent report from Visit California, tourism in the state in 2025 overall was good, with $158.9 billion spent by travelers, an increase of more than 1.7% over the year before.

Statewide a total of $13.6 billion helped to generated tax revenue, which was an increase of 3.6% over the previous year. Jobs related to travel also grew, with 1.2 million now in the state, an increase from the prior year, the report noted.

The new report also breaks down the impact on a county level. Out of the 58 counties, travel demand grew in 55 of them.

Despite growth in nearly every corner of the state, tourism in LA dropped for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic crash.

Direct travel spending in LA was down by .1% from the previous year, when the area has typically experienced a growth of nearly 3% every year over the last decade.

The report noted that there was also a drop of 8% in spending by visitors who travel by air and that it contributed to the LA’s tourism decline. That slump was equal to $188 million that the county didn’t get. 

“Los Angeles is California’s primary global gateway,” Visit California Chief Executive Caroline Beteta told the LA Times. “No other region relies as heavily on international visitation, so when global travel softens, L.A. feels it first and most acutely.”

Between August and November 2025, international air arrivals dropped in the county by 30%, as the state overall saw an increase of 3%, the Times noted.

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According to a recent LA city report, “The sharp decline in international travel seen in early 2025 that has reduced hotel tax receipts for two fiscal years is projected to recover in 2026 with the upcoming World Cup.”

“Although, this recovery may be temporary as transatlantic bookings from Europe for the summer season have declined a second year due to continuing tourism boycotts.”

Beteta told the Times, that with LA hosting the upcoming World Cup and 2028 Olympics, “the next three years change the equation entirely.”

“California is also seeing encouraging signs in the months ahead. Tourism Economics projects California visitation will reach 276.6 million in 2026, a 1.8% increase over last year, with travel spending expected to rise 3.5% to $164.8 billion,” Beteta added in a release about the report.

The report noted that already the year was looking better than the previous one for the state, with the first few months showing growth and outpacing the rest of the US.

“That momentum comes at an important time. California is entering a period of extraordinary global visibility, with major international events set to take place in our state with billions of potential travelers around the world watching,” Beteta said.

“Few destinations are better positioned to turn that attention into lasting demand.”

Earlier this year, Beteta announced she would be leaving Visit California after three decades at the helm of the organization.

The California Post reached out to Visit California and the LA Tourism organization for further comment.