Experts blame Trump insurance policies for lower in worldwide journey to SF

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Experts in tourism and hospitality reported total, good numbers of individuals are touring to San Francisco, however worldwide numbers are behind. 

San Francisco leaders gathered on the Grand Hyatt on Wednesday afternoon to share projections on tourism as a part of the Visitor Impact Summit.

Business and hospitality consultants mentioned what’s driving vacationers to the town and shared a tourism forecast for the following 12 months. 

By the numbers:

Mayor Daniel Lurie mentioned there was a rise in resort stays and conference bookings by 50%. 

These projections come as main cities throughout the nation are nonetheless making an attempt to bounce again after the pandemic. 

Brett Allor with SF Travel mentioned though leisure journey numbers are lagging, enterprise journey is robust.

Better perceptions contributing to extra tourism

“Perceptions are changing,” he mentioned. “We know street conditions are better. This is all helping us reduce cancelations and increase bookings,” mentioned Allor

Allor added that room nights on the Moscone Center are up over 30% and it’s helped “grow the occupancy.”

And at SFO, Allor mentioned total journey numbers are up however worldwide journey is down.

“A setback this year, right?” he mentioned. “A shock from the policy and rhetoric coming out of DC has slowed that, and that pushes back our recovery for international travel from 2019.”

SF Travel expects worldwide traveler numbers to maintain dipping, particularly from nations impacted by President Trump’s tariffs.

Tourists name SF ‘famous’ and ‘clear’

What they’re saying:

One Italian vacationer at Fisherman’s Wharf mentioned, “We wanted to visit the Pier 39 and the city in general because it’s very famous in Italy.”

Mayor Lurie additionally credit main occasions just like the summer season live shows, which introduced almost half 1,000,000 guests to the town over the span of seven live performance nights.

“What an incredible summer in San Francisco. I’m telling you, we became the music capital of the world hosting back to back to back concerts in Golden Gate Park,” he mentioned. 

Lurie additionally mentioned crime is down by 30% citywide.

“When visitors feel safe, they book conventions, they stay in our hotels and they go shopping right here in Union Square,” he mentioned.

“I feel like it’s clean,” mentioned Lissandra Ferrante visiting from New York. “There’s homeless people in every city, and I have encountered a few, definitely, but it hasn’t been bad.”

Tourism companies not seeing extra gross sales

Meanwhile, tour enterprise Go Cars close to the wharf, which provides vacationers mini vehicles to drive and site-see, mentioned it’s seeing a gradual decline in enterprise 12 months over 12 months.

Go Cars supervisor Jose Romo mentioned about gross sales, “Historically, July is pretty busy, but July was really slow, and August is about 13% down compared to last year.”

What’s subsequent:

City leaders mentioned the town is poised to construct on the momentum in 2026, with occasions like Superbowl 60 and 6 World Cup matches performed within the Bay Area.

Mayor Lurie additionally introduced Visa, which relies out of San Francisco, will host its conferences on the Moscone Center each summer season by 2030. 

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