French Tourists Keep Visiting Brooklyn’s Graffiti Tours Amid Industry Challenges

Despite a projected nearly 20% decline in overall international tourism to New York City this year, French visitors continue to flock to Brooklyn’s street art scene, showing a strong dedication to urban culture. Quirky graffiti and street art tours in industrial neighborhoods like Bushwick attract many art enthusiasts from France, maintaining a vibrant niche market.

“Many in France are obsessed with graffiti and street art,” said Audrey “Byte” Connolly, who has guided urban art tours in Bushwick for nearly ten years. She notes that cultural similarities between Paris and New York help fuel the ongoing interest, despite recent travel hurdles and geopolitical tensions.

While tourists from Canada, Germany, and Australia are booking fewer trips—possibly due to political or economic fears—French tourists remain loyal. Connolly remains optimistic, believing that with New York’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, whose policies are seen as more Europe-oriented, international tourism could rebound.

However, COVID-related restrictions and diplomatic tensions have impacted tourism. “A lot of domestic tourists don’t see graffiti as art — they’re often told to fear New York,” Connolly explained. Meanwhile, Schoenberg, president of Graff Tours, highlights that the city’s tourism decline impacts local businesses from thrift shops to restaurants.

Despite the downturn, Graff Tours has diversified, offering spray painting classes and corporate events for clients like Meta and Samsung. Schoenberg emphasizes that these additional services are vital for survival, with tour revenue alone unlikely to sustain the business in uncertain times.

Overall, while international arrivals falter, the resilience of Brooklyn’s street art scene and the creative diversification of tour services continue to keep the industry afloat.