International travel to the United States is predicted to see significant declines, with many potential visitors opting to cancel their trips due to the rhetoric and policies of President Donald Trump. According to the travel research firm Tourism Economics, international tourism to the U.S. is expected to drop by 5 percent this year, resulting in projected losses of $64 billion for the tourism industry. Factors contributing to this decline include raised trade tensions, anticipated economic downturns globally, as well as Trump's polarizing comments and policies.
Specifically, inbound travel to the United States fell by 2 percent year-on-year as of February 2025, with notable reductions from regions including Africa (9 percent), Asia (7 percent), and Central America (6 percent). Travel from China, which has frequently been the focus of Trump's economic policies, has also seen a marked decrease of 11 percent. The downward trend suggests a significant shift away from U.S. destination preferences among international travelers.
Adam Sacks, president of Tourism Economics, highlighted the dramatic revision from their earlier forecast, stating, "You’re looking at a much weaker economic engine than what otherwise would’ve been, not just because of tariffs, but the rhetoric and condescending tone around it.” This comment encapsulates the concerns of international tourists, who are increasingly wary of traveling to the U.S. amid the current political climate.
Canadian travelers—historically the largest group of international visitors to the U.S.—are particularly noticeable among those canceling trips. Bertha Lopez, 54, from Toronto, has vowed to avoid the United States, citing offensive remarks about Canada potentially becoming the U.S.’s “51st state.” She canceled plans to visit her sick friend’s husband and instead intends to fly her friend to Canada. Lopez stated, “All of this talk of making Canada the 51st state has been upsetting. It’s just incredibly offensive.” Her sentiments are echoed by many Canadians as travel from Canada to the U.S. has plummeted by 23 percent this February compared to the same month last year, according to Statistics Canada.
Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau even advised Canadians to explore their own beautiful country instead, underlining the perceived risks of traveling south. "Now is also the time to choose Canada," he remarked, advocating for local tourism. Following these developments, Canadian travelers are predicted to account for about 15 percent less travel to the U.S. this year, translating to nearly $3.3 billion in lost revenue for the American travel sector.
The overall sentiment surrounding U.S. travel policy has done little to mitigate fears surrounding personal safety and political vilification. Penelope Poole, who hails from the Philippines, recently canceled plans for her family to cruise to Florida and instead decided to take them to a resort in Canada to avoid the uncertainty exacerbated by recent U.S. political climates.
The Trump administration's previous term had already seen international tourism suffer significantly, amounting to over $20 billion lost. Factors back then included previous travel bans and controversial immigration policies, leading to hesitation among many potential visitors. Current economic pressures including rising prices and muted growth contribute layers of apprehension within the international travel community.
With U.S. airlines also indicating slowing demand for air travel, key players like Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and American Airlines have all downgraded their forecasts. Delta CEO Edward Bastian noted, “People are cautious and they’re pulling back a little bit on travel,” underlining the interconnected nature of the current economic environment. Recent trends also reveal two consecutive months of job losses within the hospitality sector, amplifying concerns about the robustness of domestic and international travel markets.
Worries about uncertainty stretch beyond just travelers’ attitudes—American consumer sentiment has touched levels not seen for over two years, reflecting growing disillusionment with the economy's direction. Sacks pointed out the key to boosting tourism may depend on alleviating broader fears surrounding travel safety and economic viability.
Handlers of the tourism narrative might want to focus on those red flags now raising alarms: tariffs on European goods, including wine and alcohol, have reignited fears of price hikes. Trump’s harsh comments around trade, calling the EU “one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities,” could dangerously slant tourist motivations against the backdrop of rising animosity.
Some travelers have already changed their plans, opting for destinations outside the U.S. rather than facing the uncertainty surrounding high tariffs and political statements. Jens Muellers, from Germany, noted how they had altered their itinerary from what would have been their fifth visit to the national parks in the U.S. toward Canada instead, marking another shift away from U.S. tourism. “It’s truly disappointing to see how quickly things can change,” he lamented.
Entering this turbulent phase, the U.S. travel industry faces pressing challenges posed by both international perceptions and domestic hesitance. It remains to be seen how policy adjustments will influence the traveler sentiment and whether the U.S. can recover the lost tourism opportunities resulting from these developments. With substantial collaboration between government and the private tourism sector scaling back prices and fostering positive sentiments, there might be hope for revitalizing America's tourism appeal.