Tourists are examining wall art.
A significant number of French art enthusiasts are visiting Brooklyn for an unusual walking tour showcasing graffiti and street art in warehouses.
Despite projections indicating a nearly 20% drop in overall international tourism to New York City this year, niche attractions continue to thrive.
Audrey “Bite” Connolly, a guide for Graff Tour, mentioned, “Many people in France are really into graffiti and street art, which has been a big part of our business for quite some time.”
Connolly has been leading these urban art tours in the trendy Bushwick area for nearly ten years, finding parallels between New York and Paris to be appealing for visitors.
While tour guides across the city note the absence of regular visitors from countries like Canada and Australia—possibly due to political tensions and economic issues—French tourists appear to be less affected, according to Connolly.
“They’re fascinated by street art. I hope they continue to visit.”
Connolly has guided groups that include families from France and others from Kansas City, Missouri, through the industrial areas of Bushwick.
While German and Israeli tourists previously formed a significant portion of her clientele, this year has seen fewer bookings from those regions. She also mentioned declining interest from student groups in Canada and China.
Antoine Jacket, a 23-year-old visitor from Dijon, noted that immigration hurdles under previous administrations were a challenge, but he managed to travel abroad. He speculated that tourism might improve under the new mayor, whose policies seem more aligned with European practices.
The New York City tourism board recently estimated around 2 million international visitors for 2025, which translates to a loss of about $4 billion in foreign spending.
August is typically a peak month for tours, but Connolly reflected that this week, which usually sees her working seven days straight, she had no bookings and ended up taking her days off.
“Tourism significantly impacts local markets, affecting hotels and small businesses,” said Gabe Schoenberg, the president of Graff Tours.
Bushwick, known for its trendy vibe, is feeling the impacts, affecting everything from thrift stores to restaurants catering to European families.
Schoenberg reported a 10% decline in overall foreign tourists since last year, while interest from French visitors remains strong. His company is shifting focus toward domestic tourism and engaging locals through targeted social media ads.
“We’ve seen an increase in domestic tourism this year compared to previous years,” he stated.
However, Connolly pointed out that many local visitors don’t recognize graffiti as art, often viewing it through a lens of fear about New York.
Schoenberg also mentioned that some foreign tourists might choose not to visit in response to political leadership and policies that have led to rising transportation and food costs.
“Prices are going up for everyone in New York,” he observed. “But a tourism incentive could help.”
The president of another tour company, with previous operations in Los Angeles, emphasized that diversifying offerings is crucial in uncertain times.
In addition to walking tours, Graff Tours in Bushwick provides spray painting classes and hosts corporate events for companies like Meta and L’Oréal, including influencer launch parties.
“Revenue from classes is vital compared to tour income,” Schoenberg explained. “If I were solely reliant on tours, I’m not sure we’d still be in business.”
