Yellowstone Tourism Faces Challenges Amid Decline in International Travel to the U.S.

Summertime is peak season for many U.S. national parks, including Yellowstone National Park, which spans parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Local communities such as West Yellowstone, Montana, are heavily dependent on park tourism supporting a range of businesses including hotels, motels, souvenir shops, and restaurants. Even towns further afield, like Jackson and Cody, Wyoming, feel the ripple effects of tourism trends.

According to a recent report by WyoFile, the International Trade Administration revealed that overseas travel to the U.S. dropped by 11.6% in March. This decline does not include travelers from Canada or Mexico. Analysts cite concerns over Trump administration tariffs, stock market instability, and growing international unease with the U.S.’s political rhetoric as contributing factors.

The Wyoming Office of Tourism (WOT) reported in its 2024 summary that travel generated $4.9 billion in economic impact for the state and supported 33,610 jobs. The office also emphasized its ongoing international outreach through marketing campaigns, trade shows, partnerships with Brand USA, and involvement in the Great American West consortium, among others.

In a recent email, Yellowstone National Park Lodges General Manager Mike Keller acknowledged that staffing challenges have added to industry concerns, saying that “staffing uncertainty has generated worries.”

As the summer travel season approaches, communities surrounding Yellowstone will be watching closely to see how global tourism trends and domestic policies continue to impact visitation numbers and economic stability.