Trump travel policies trigger global tourist backlash and billions in US losses
Global travelers reconsider US trips, costing the economy billions (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The Trump administration’s recent policies are prompting international travelers to cancel or avoid trips to the US, dealing a heavy blow to the tourism industry, reports The New York Times.
From new tariffs and travel bans to high-profile border detentions, many foreign tourists now feel unsafe or unwelcome in the United States.
A draft policy could soon ban travelers from over 40 countries. "Why would anyone want to visit, especially right now with all the arbitrary detentions at immigration?" said Mallory Henderson, a frequent US visitor from London who canceled her Easter trip.
Combined with the already high dollar, long visa waits, and tipping culture, political instability is now pushing travelers to choose destinations like Canada and Mexico instead.
Arrivals from Western Europe dropped in February, and Canadian cross-border traffic fell 24% after new tariffs. "It does not feel right to support the American economy when the president is causing so much sabotage," said Christoph Bartel, a German traveler who canceled a US national park trip.
Billions lost as airlines, agencies and small businesses struggle
Tourism Economics slashed its forecast for 2025, projecting a 5.1% drop in international travel and an $18 billion revenue loss.
Airlines like Delta and United cut routes and lowered earnings projections, citing plummeting Canadian demand. Small travel companies in cities like New York are already reporting mass cancellations. "I just had 20 busloads of seniors cancel their tours," said Luke Miller of Real New York Tours. "We might not survive."
States like California and New York are boosting international marketing to reverse the trend, but uncertainty over US policies continues to weigh heavily on travelers.
Amid tightening rules, even international students are reconsidering US education, with many fearing deportation or restrictions under Trump’s immigration agenda.
