International tourists to flock to Philadelphia this year
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Philadelphia's tourism and hotel industries should bank on a rebound year fueled by the FIFA World Cup and other events coming to the region, per a new analysis.
Why it matters: Philly is abuzz with improvements, upgrades and activity as businesses and the city get ready for the big crowds.
State of play: International tourism is projected to grow 4.5% this year, according to new data from Tourism Economics.
- The analysis was released Tuesday by the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau and Visit Philadelphia.
🇨🇦 Plus: Tourism from Canada — the city's largest international market — is expected to rise 4.1% over last year.
Worth noting: The data reflects the outlook we told you about back in January.
🛎️ Meanwhile, Center City hotel occupancies are projected to jump 2.8% and total revenue to increase 6.3%, according to the analysis.
Flashback: The rosy tourism forecast comes after a big slump in 2025.
- That's when international visits fell nearly 14% last year compared with 2024.
- Canadians in particular avoided Philly, with their tourism to the region down a whopping 23%.
What they're saying: "This year is a critical inflection point for Philadelphia as we are about to step into one of the most visible tourism moments for our city," Gregg Caren, president and CEO of the visitors' bureau, said in a statement.
Zoom in: Signs are already hinting that tourism is poised to pick up.
- Flight bookings to Philly during the first week of the World Cup (June 11-19) are up 20% compared with the same period last year, per data provided to Axios by travel marketing agency Sojern.
- Most international visitors are coming from the United Kingdom, with strong interest from Canada, Ireland and Ecuador.
- More than half of those international travelers are flying solo.
Between the lines: Philly is looking to cash in on all these visitors.
- The city recently launched its program for bars, hotels, restaurants and other businesses to seek a permit to remain open till 4am and serve alcohol.
What else: Beautification projects are humming along throughout the city, including:
- 🚶 Sidewalk improvements around Swann Fountain in Logan Square Park.
- 🎭 Revamp of part of the Avenue of the Arts.
- 🏗️ Redesign of Thomas Paine Plaza, in front of the Municipal Services Building.
- 🌳 Market East improvements — like tree plantings and rehabbing bus shelters — and popups.