Tourism in LA May Suffer Due to Increasing Wildfires

On Saturday, several reports revealed that Los Angeles is suffering due to the increasing impacts of wildfires and climate change; therefore, the tourism sector of the city may be deeply impacted. 

Visitor numbers, which were already slow to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, took another blow in early 2025 when a series of wildfires swept through communities near Malibu and Pasadena. 

While most of the affected neighborhoods were residential, leaving the major tourist attractions and other infrastructure largely intact, there was a drop in visitor numbers.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board told SF Gate: "With more than 510,000 Los Angeles residents and over 1,000 local businesses relying on tourism for their livelihood, we are concerned about any factors that could negatively impact the U.S. image as a preferred travel destination," according to travel and tourism site Fodor’s. 

The California Tourism Board (Visit California) quickly issued a statement after the fires, rejecting the common belief that the fires had impacted the city's appeal as a tourist destination. 

The statement read: "Los Angeles has always been a beacon to the world, a place where dreams are born and stories unfold from the silver screen to iconic landmarks. Now, this resilient city needs your help in its recovery journey, and one of the best ways to support Los Angeles' return to normal is by planning a visit."

In addition to the fires, Los Angeles is also experiencing a drop in international tourism, largely driven by concerns over the difficulty of entering the country.

Increasing reports of European tourists being detained for weeks at border checkpoints due to visa concerns have led to a decline in enthusiasm for U.S. travel, which is a major source of incoming traffic to Southern California.