≡-Cuba Joins the US, Costa Rica, Iceland, Ireland, Croatia, Sweden, and Thailand as Tourism Numbers Plummet Across Key Travel Destinations: New Report You Need to Know – Viral of Today

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Home » America Travel News » Cuba Joins the US, Costa Rica, Iceland, Ireland, Croatia, Sweden, and Thailand as Tourism Numbers Plummet Across Key Travel Destinations: New Report You Need to Know Wednesday, July 23, 2025Cuba has officially joined the United States, Costa Rica, Iceland, Ireland, Croatia, Sweden, and Thailand in experiencing a steep plunge in tourism numbers due to a mix of economic strain, declining visitor confidence, and policy-driven travel barriers, according to a new global report. From empty hotel rooms in Havana and San José to mass booking cancellations in Tokyo and Reykjavik, 2025 is shaping up to be a challenging year for some of the world’s most visited destinations. These nations, once tourist powerhouses, are now reporting significant declines in arrivals, occupancy, and revenue—driven by factors ranging from geopolitical tensions and rising crime to misinformation and visa complications. As other countries see travel rebound, these eight are facing mounting pressure to adapt quickly or risk deeper economic fallout from the shrinking global tourism pie.Cuba’s Deepening CrisisCuba is enduring its most severe tourism downturn in nearly two decades. According to the country’s own National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), international arrivals in the first four months of 2025 totaled just over 991,000, reflecting a 27% year-over-year decline. Hotel occupancy has sunk to just 24%, meaning less than one in four rooms are filled during what should be peak season.The sharpest declines have come from Canada (down 30%) and Russia (down 51%), Cuba’s two primary source markets. Western Europe hasn’t stepped in to fill the gap, and Latin American arrivals remain weak. Energy shortages, declining hotel quality, and continued U.S. sanctions have crippled Cuba’s tourism infrastructure. While the government continues to build new hotels and targets a 2025 goal of 2.6 million tourists, this figure now appears unrealistic.United States Faces Sharpening Travel DeficitThe United States, typically the world’s second-most visited country, is experiencing a measurable inbound tourism slump in 2025. In March alone, international arrivals fell 11.6%, and the total decline for the first half of the year stands at around 1.2%, according to data from Oxford Economics.Hotel bookings in major destinations like New York and Miami have dropped by 61% year-over-year in April, driven largely by fewer travelers from Canada, Europe, and Asia. Visitor spending is expected to plunge by $12.5 billion compared to 2024, making the U.S. the only G20 economy forecasted to see a decline in international tourism revenue this year. Visa policy tightening, high fees, and political headwinds have contributed significantly to the downturn.Costa Rica Sees Tourist Dip Amid Regional HeadwindsLong considered a star in sustainable and adventure tourism, Costa Rica has seen its momentum wane. Air arrivals dropped 7% in Q1, with a further 4.7% decrease recorded in May, according to national tourism data. Overall, Costa Rica has recorded a seven-month slide in foreign visitor arrivals.Challenges include a rising crime rate, reduced flight capacity from key markets, and a strong local currency that has made the country more expensive for foreign travelers. The tourism minister has pushed back on the notion of a crisis, but industry leaders have publicly warned that recovery is stalling.Iceland Battles Cold Numbers in Tourism SectorEven Iceland, long a favorite for eco and adventure travelers, hasn’t escaped the slump. According to the Icelandic Tourist Board, March 2025 saw an 8.4% drop in outbound passengers from Keflavík International Airport. In February, the country recorded a 4.5% decline in overnight stays, totaling just 363,783 visitors compared to 381,094 in the same month last year.Tourism employment has also shrunk by 2% year-over-year, and operators are beginning to report increased cancellations and shorter stays.Ireland’s Visitor Numbers in Free FallIreland has been one of the worst-hit Western destinations in early 2025. In March, inbound international arrivals dropped by 15%, with a total of 441,200 visitors recorded. Across Q1, the fall was even steeper—a 23% decline compared to the same period in 2024.A combination of rising travel costs, methodological confusion over data, and public safety concerns in cities like Dublin has contributed to the slump. In May, Ireland saw a further 10% drop in foreign arrivals and 8% fewer nights stayed. This comes despite aggressive tourism marketing campaigns across North America and Europe.Croatia Struggles as Coastal Bookings EvaporateCroatia, a staple of summer travel in Europe, is seeing its visitor counts decline sharply. In Q1 2025, the country recorded a 16.5% drop in arrivals and a similar decline in overnight stays. In March alone, the downturn reached nearly 30% year-over-year, and coastal destinations reported booking reductions of 33% in May compared to the previous year.Tourists have cited overdevelopment, poor service, and increased costs as reasons for avoiding Croatian beaches this year. Tourism officials are now looking at extending the season and rebranding experiences to recapture lost demand.Sweden’s Setback in BookingsSweden, which had been optimistic about a rebound fueled by its natural landscapes and cultural offerings, has seen a 11.5% drop in international bookings in early 2025. While domestic tourism remains steady, international visitors are showing more caution.Analysts link this decline to increased travel costs, longer Schengen visa wait times, and cooling demand from China and the UK.Thailand’s Tourism Feels the PinchOnce a booming hotspot for Asian and Western travelers alike, Thailand is now facing real turbulence. From January 1 to July 13, 2025, Thailand reported 17.75 million foreign visitors, down from 18.8 million during the same period in 2024—an overall drop of 5.6%.Even more striking is the 32–50% decline in Chinese tourists, who make up Thailand’s largest inbound market. As a result, Thai officials have delayed a proposed tourist entry fee until 2026, and major cities like Bangkok and Phuket are reporting decreased hotel bookings and tour group sizes.Cuba has joined the US, Costa Rica, Iceland, Ireland, Croatia, Sweden, and Thailand in facing a sharp tourism decline in 2025 due to rising travel costs, safety concerns, and reduced international demand. A new report reveals these destinations are struggling with falling arrivals, empty hotels, and weakening visitor spending amid global uncertainty.A Global Wake-Up Call for the Travel IndustryAs Cuba joins this cross-continental list of countries where tourism is sharply declining, the pattern reveals more than just a seasonal dip. These declines reflect larger systemic issues: geopolitical tensions, reduced airline capacity, rising travel costs, visa barriers, and a growing fatigue among long-haul travelers.While some countries—like Spain, Mexico, and Vietnam—continue to thrive, destinations like the US, Costa Rica, Iceland, and Thailand now face a pivotal second half of 2025. Their next steps—whether through easing entry rules, marketing shifts, or infrastructure improvements—may determine whether they can still salvage a disappointing year for global travel.

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