Denver bucks the international travel slump
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios
America's political climate is chilling international travel — but not to Denver.
Why it matters: While many U.S. cities grapple with tourism declines that strain their local economies, Denver is defying the downturn, drawing international visitors who can provide a crucial fiscal cushion, especially amid a budget crisis.
The big picture: Foreign travelers are bypassing President Trump's America, put off by tariffs, anti-foreigner rhetoric and aggressive immigration enforcement, Axios' Emily Peck reports.
- Nationwide, international air travel is down 7% from 2024, an Axios analysis of U.S. Customs and Border Protection data found.
- Canadians in particular are steering clear. Visits from our northern neighbors are down 25% year to date, according to a forecast last month from travel research firm Tourism Economics.
By the numbers: Denver is an exception. Foreign travelers passing through the city's airport were up 3.2% as of Aug. 9, compared with the same period last year, per data provided to Axios from Visit Denver CEO Richard Scharf.
What they're saying: Expanded international offerings at Denver International Airport may be driving the surge, Scharf tells us.
- Those include new direct United Airlines flights to Rome and Regina, Saskatchewan; increased daily service to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines; and Lufthansa swapping in the Airbus A380 — the world's largest passenger plane, with 509 seats — on its Munich route.
Between the lines: Under Mayor Mike Johnston, Denver has also doubled down on its identity as a welcoming city for immigrants, which may explain why international travelers aren't shying away.
What we're watching: The U.S. could see 8.2% fewer international arrivals by the end of this year, per Tourism Economics' report — keeping visits from overseas well below pre-pandemic levels, they said.