As a result of the late-2000s recession , international arrivals suffered a strong slowdown beginning in June 2008 . Growth from 2007 to 2008 was only 3.7 % during the first eight months of 2008 . This slowdown on international tourism demand was also reflected in the air transport industry , with a negative growth in September 2008 and a 3.3 % growth in passenger traffic through September . The hotel industry also reported a slowdown , with room occupancy declining . In 2009 worldwide tourism arrivals decreased by 3.8 % . By the first quarter of 2009 , real travel demand in the United States had fallen 6 % over six quarters . While this is considerably milder than what occurred after the 9/11 attacks , the decline was at twice the rate as real GDP has fallen
9/11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Tourism