One of the best three countries in the world has the highest visitor numbers. For decades, foreign visitors have drawn drawn from cities like San Francisco, New York, and Chicago, as well as national parks like Yosemite. In addition, it had 66.5 million readers in 2023, which is expected to be higher than that number in 2024 due to its position as a worldwide business powerhouse.
However, a lot has changed in recent months, and the statistics for 2025 may not be as accurate. The global attitudes toward the US are starting to change as a result of Donald Trump’s reelection as president in 2024, along with the repercussions of changes in international politics and relationships, as well as internal cultural shifts, attitudes that appear to be having an impact on tourists ‘ desire to travel there.
In a recent report released by tourism economics, inbound travel to the US is now projected to decline by 5.5 % this year as opposed to the nearly 9 % that was previously anticipated. Further tax and trade wars could lead to further declines in global tourism, which could result in a$ 18 billion annual decline in visitor spending by 2025.
There is already some proof of go delays. The number of Canadians driving across the border at some intersections has decreased by up to 45 %, on some days, since Trump announced 25 % tariffs on many American goods. The main source of foreign visitors to the US is Canada. As demand declines, Air Canada has announced it will start reducing airlines to some US vacation destinations, including Las Vegas, starting in March.
Leger, a researcher in French markets, found that 36 % of Indians who planned trips to the United States had previously canceled them in a March poll. In comparison to the same period last year, customer tickets on Canada to US pathways have decreased by over 70 %, according to statistics from the aviation analytics firm OAG.
The US Travel Association issued a warning that even a 10 % drop in inbound travel from Canada could cause a US$ 2.1 billion in spending loss, putting 140, 000 hospitality jobs in danger.
An unfriendly setting
Some prospective visitors have cited an unfriendly political climate as a drawback of visiting the US, including irrational language about immigrants, LGBTQ people, and hostile rhetoric. According to the Tourism Economics statement, “polarizing Trump Administration policies and rhetoric” are also cited as a contributing factor to go omissions.
Travelers from western Europe, which accounted for 37 % of all overseas travel to the US last year, may be affected by other factors, such as this. These include US taxes that drive domestic prices higher, and the US government’s alleged co-operation with Russia in the Ukraine conflict.
According to a study conducted by YouGov in March, attitudes toward the US have changed in Western Europe since Trump’s election in November.
More than half of Britons ( 53 % ), Germans ( 56 % ), Slovaks ( 63 % ), and Danish ( 74 % ) currently have negative views of the US. The US desirability rate is at its lowest level since polling began in November 2016 in five of the seven polled nations.
Borders security measures
Tourists might get turned off by some well-known incidents at the US borders. A European woman was subject to handcuffs and more than ten days of detention by US Customs Enforcement in March due to a immigration issue.
A French visitor was detained the same month after attempting to maintain her immigration at the US-Mexico border. She was imprisoned for 12 days in filled jail cells and even put in stores during the confinement.
Mexico has the second-largest outbound traveling market in the US. According to Tourism Economics, concerns about new border police regulations will pique the interest of prospective Mexican visitors. Mexican travel to the US decreased by 3 % during Trump’s second term in office. By the end of February this year, Mexico’s air journey had now decreased by 6 % compared to 2024.
Some nations, including Canada, have updated their journey tips for the US. For instance, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office updated its guidance for customers to the US on March 15 by enforcing that “you may be liable to be arrested or detained if you break the rules.”
The tips in its earlier form, which was updated in February, made no mention of imprisonment or detention. Following some Europeans who were just detained for weeks by US frontier officials, Germany has updated its travel advice.
Numerous Western nations, including France, Germany, Denmark, and Norway, have issued specific travel instructions to trans and non-binary citizens as a result of US officials ‘ mandate that travellers state their biological sex at birth on card applications.
This comes as the US stops issuing documents with an X indicator, which are frequently used by those identifying as non-binary, for its own people.
directed somewhere
Other sites are experiencing a spike in interest as hundreds of travelers make US travel arrangements. As Canadians relocate business and leisure travel from the US, hotels in Bermuda have reported a rise in inquiries, with some predicting a 20 % increase in visitor revenue.
According to some reports, Europe has seen a 32 % increase in summer reservations compared to last year, with rental properties experiencing a 32 % increase in this category.
The US, Canada, and Mexico-based teams ‘ participation in the 2026 female’s Fifa World Cup are now gaining in popularity due to visa and entry restrictions that are already causing problems for fans and players.
Some nations, like Brazil, Turkey, and Colombia, have up to 700 time to apply for permits. The 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles have also raised questions for the International Olympic Committee, despite US officials insisting that” America may be opened.”
The United States is in danger of losing its charm as a top holiday destination as a result of growing card difficulties, stronger border enforcement, and growing fears over human right and anti-minority language. The long-term effects on the country’s tourism sector may prove challenging to slow.
Ross Bennett-Cook is a PhD scientist at Leeds Beckett University’s Carnegie School of Sport.
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