While California's tourism rallied, L.A. faced its worst year since the pandemic
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Tourist spending in Los Angeles fell for the first time since the pandemic last year as wildfires, ICE raids and trade tensions discouraged people from visiting.Direct travel spending in 2025 was slightly below the previous year in Los Angeles County, according to an economic impact report this week from Visit California.That’s a step down from an average of close to 3% growth per year over the last 10 years and an average growth of 2.7% for the whole state last year.
Los Angeles has been the center of local crises that have kept tourists away, while President Trump’s controversial trade policies have damaged the country’s reputation.Business With foot traffic down and fewer international visitors, local vendors and storefronts are citing less business compared to last summer.
They say it’s because L.A.isn’t the traveling destination it once was.Early in the year, wildfires raged for weeks, dominating national news cycles and essentially shutting down tourism in the area for the time.
Over the summer, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents descended on the city, forcing people to stay home out of fear.“Los Angeles faced something no major American city has ever confronted with the wildfires,” Visit California Chief Executive Caroline Beteta said.
Despite the turmoil, California remained the most popular destination in the U.S.for tourism, and most counties in the state saw growth in travel.
Travel demand fell nationally, according to Visit California, but grew in 55 out of 58 California counties last year.Travel spending in the San Francisco Bay Area increased 2%.
Business One year after the fires, some businesses are rebuilding while others have given up.Across Southern California, from Hollywood Boulevard to Palm Springs, foot traffic took a hit last summer.Tour buses carried fewer people, and souvenir shops sold fewer goods.
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