A rough summer for tourism

L.A. sees less foot traffic, fewer international visitors

- BY CERYS DAVIES

GINA FERAZZI Los Angeles Times TOURISTS traverse the celebrity stars on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles.

Months of negative news have triggered a tough summer for tourism in Los Angeles, deepening the economic woes for a city buffeted by natural disasters and immigration raids.

International tourist arrivals fell by 8% in the three months through August, according to data released Monday from Visit California. That is more than 170,000 fewer global tourists than last year.

In August alone, arrivals slipped by 7.5% compared with 2024.

The region’s economy and image suffered significant setbacks this year. Shocking images of the destructive Eaton and Palisades fires in January, followed by the immigration crackdown in June, made global news and repelled visitors. Meanwhile, President Trump’s fickle tariff policies and other geopolitical posturing have convinced many international tourists to avoid America.

On Hollywood Boulevard, there are fewer tourists, and the ones who show up spend less, says Salim Osman. He works for Ride Like a Star, an exotic car company that rents to visitors looking to take a luxury vehicle for a spin and snap the quintessential L.A. selfie.

GINA FERAZZI Los Angeles Times ON HOLLYWOOD Boulevard, there are fewer tourists, and the ones who show up spend less, a worker said.

Last year, crowds lined up to rent its Ferraris and Porches for around $200 an hour, Salim says. However, this summer, foot traffic dropped by nearly 50%.

“Tt used to be shoulder to shoulder out here,” he said, looking along the boulevard. “It’salot harder for people to come here, or they're afraid of what’s going on here, so they just don’t come.”