International journey is down and fuel costs are up throughout the US, which is hurting companies on Route 66

SELIGMAN (AZFamily) — Route 66 is popping 100 this yr, and plenty of companies are hoping for additional earnings with a rise in vacationers.

However, right here within the U.S., fuel costs are up about 30% in contrast with final summer season, and worldwide tourism has been on the decline for the previous couple of years.

Route 66 offers vacationers a glimpse into the outdated Americana vibe.

The historic freeway provides roadside diners, cross-country journey and the prospect to remain in a unique motel each evening, just like the Aztec Motel in Seligman. Anna Gonzalez and Sebastian de Boorder are the house owners of the motel.

“I bought it in the middle of the night on the internet,” Anna mentioned. “By the time he woke, I said, ‘I think I may have bought a motel.’”

For Anna, it was a return house to Arizona. For Sebastian, who’s from the Netherlands, the Americana scene grew to become his American dream.

“To achieve our American dream, we had a lot of hard work, and you know we accomplished a lot together,” Sebastian mentioned.

However, worldwide tourism has been in decline over the previous few years. According to The Independent, 4 million fewer overseas guests visited the United States in 2025 than in 2024.

Josh Coddington with the state’s tourism department mentioned it’s a unique story in Arizona, the place worldwide tourism really grew by 1% over final yr however was flat in contrast with 2024.

So the state is placing cash and advertising and marketing behind a plan to encourage vacationers from exterior the nation to maintain visiting the Grand Canyon State.

“Especially with overseas international visitors, like visitors from the U.K., Germany and France, they love Americana, and they love Route 66,” Coddington mentioned. “So we’ve made special efforts to reach out to all of our international destinations.”

Now, excessive fuel costs are hitting American vacationers too.

Anna and Sebastian mentioned whereas peak tourism season is simply beginning, they’re already down about 20% in contrast with final yr.

“It’s difficult times for everybody right now, but we do because everything in our town is family-owned by individuals,” Sebastian mentioned. “Chains have nothing here.”

The International Trade Commission is predicting worldwide tourism will probably be again on the rise throughout the nation once more this yr.

Anna is hopeful the remainder of the summer season will probably be busier and urges vacationers to assist native companies like theirs.

“I would say it’s probably the most patriotic thing you can do,” she mentioned. “You know, as we are seeing a slower season, I think that’s what you can do to keep us afloat, and I would say it’s also really fun.”

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