America No Longer on the Itinerary: Global Travelers Rethink U.S. Trips Amid Rising Tensions
International travelers are increasingly reconsidering trips to the United States amid growing concerns over feeling unsafe or unwelcome due to controversial policies and diplomatic tensions linked to the Trump administration. Issues such as border detentions, heightened trade conflicts, and strained relations with longstanding allies are causing many tourists to rethink their support for the U.S. economy.
A proposed new travel ban could restrict citizens from up to 43 countries, including Belarus, Cambodia, and St. Lucia, further complicating international relations and fueling traveler anxieties.
Mallory Henderson, a London-based marketing consultant who regularly visited the U.S. to see family, told The New York Times she canceled her upcoming trip to Boston, citing discomfort with the “unpredictable” environment.
“So many Americans are looking to escape the tense and toxic atmosphere at home. Why would anyone want to visit, especially right now, with all the arbitrary detentions at immigration? It’s a really hostile and scary time, and quite frankly, there’s plenty of other inviting and pleasant places I can go to meet up with my family.”
Even before recent political shifts, the American tourism sector was already struggling to rebound from the pandemic. The strong U.S. dollar and prolonged visa processing had delayed recovery, with international visitor numbers projected not to reach pre-pandemic levels until late 2025 and tourist spending not fully rebounding until 2026, according to the U.S. Travel Association.
Tourism Economics, a research firm, initially predicted a 9 percent growth in travel to the U.S. this year but recently revised forecasts to reflect a 5.1 percent decline in inbound visitors.
This downturn is expected to result in an $18 billion reduction in visitor spending, significantly driven by Canadian travelers responding to newly imposed tariffs. In February, cross-border Canadian visits dropped by 24 percent year-over-year.
Major airlines like Delta, American, and United have adjusted financial forecasts and reduced flights, especially to and from Canada, reflecting the diminished demand. United CEO Scott Kirby explicitly noted a substantial drop in Canadian passengers.
President of Tourism Economics, Adam Sacks, attributes this decline to perceptions caused by aggressive policy decisions.
“The negative sentiment shift is anticipated to be sustained by an evolving mix of Trump administration factors, including geopolitical friction on trade and national security policies, charged rhetoric and adversarial posturing. High-visibility border security and immigration policies and enforcement actions are also expected to discourage visits.”
Several nations, including the U.K., Canada, and Germany, have updated travel advisories cautioning citizens that visa waivers do not guarantee smooth entry into the U.S. following several highly publicized border detentions involving foreign nationals. For example, France recently protested after a French scientist was denied entry, allegedly due to his personal opinions about American politics discovered during a phone inspection—an assertion the U.S. denied.
While Europe has not seen cancellations at Canada’s scale, many travelers are reconsidering future trips to the United States. European Travel Agents’ Secretary General Eric Dresin warned that continued policy turbulence might lead to greater disruption in the European tourism market. In February, arrivals from Western Europe dipped by 1 percent compared to a 14 percent increase the previous year.
Tourists like Christoph Bartel, a German citizen who lives in Norway, are choosing alternate destinations after U.S. policy shifts. Bartel had initially planned to visit Arizona in the summer to tour national parks but canceled his plans when Trump fired park employees and reversed environmental regulations.
“It does not feel right to support the American economy when the president is causing so much sabotage. It is disappointing to abandon a special trip we planned for months, but we will go to Canada or Mexico instead.”
British travelers, traditionally the largest European visitor group after Canada and Mexico, are also becoming cautious. Alan Wilson of Bon Voyage Travel & Tours noted a 5 percent drop in bookings for U.S. trips this year, driven partly by increased hotel costs and frustration with tipping culture.
“The British market absolutely hates the 20 percent tipping culture and how America always has its hand held out for the next gratuity. They would rather pay the money upfront.”
Small businesses reliant on tourism in popular destinations like New York and California feel the pinch. Luke Miller of Real New York Tours reported devastating cancellations, especially from Canadian visitors, with a bleak outlook for future bookings. If business doesn’t rebound, Miller fears layoffs will be inevitable. “I just had 20 busloads of seniors cancel their upcoming tours. That’s thousands of dollars of losses for my small business,” Mr. Miller said.
In response, state tourism agencies are stepping up marketing to reassure travelers. Visit California, the state’s tourism agency, slightly lowered its 2025 spending forecast, citing reduced international arrivals and recent wildfires.
“The good news is, thanks to California’s strong brand on the global stage, international visitors continue to show a strong affinity for the Golden State,” Caroline Beteta, the agency’s president, said in a statement.
New York City Tourism+ Conventions is emphasizing affordability and attractions beyond Manhattan, confident that the city will ultimately achieve its recovery goals despite present challenges.
“This is an excellent opportunity to highlight the other boroughs and parts of New York City outside of Manhattan that are just as vibrant and have amazing, award-winning culinary, arts and cultural experiences.”
Still, business owners like Miller remain concerned. “The reality is that we are being hit the hardest and might not survive,” he said.
Moumita Basuroychowdhury is a Contributing Reporter at The National Digest. After earning an economics degree at Cornell University, she moved to NYC to pursue her MFA in creative writing. She enjoys reporting on science, business and culture news. You can reach her at moumita.b@thenationaldigest.com.
