Trump's Policies Shake International Tourism: Tourists Reconsider U.S. Travel Plans

Trump's Policies Shake International Tourism: Tourists Reconsider U.S. Travel Plans

President Donald Trump’s policy decisions and trade measures are causing some international travelers to rethink their trips to the United States.

Forecasts indicate that international tourism could decline by 5% this year, largely due to the effects of Trump’s economic strategies, his proposed approach to Russia’s war in Ukraine, and controversial discussions about integrating Canada and Greenland into the U.S. These tensions have contributed to growing hesitancy among foreign visitors.

Coupled with a projected decrease in domestic travel spending, the travel industry is facing potential financial losses of up to $64 billion in 2025, according to research from Tourism Economics.

A recent report from the firm highlighted that "domestic travel will be negatively affected by slower income growth and higher prices," while international tourism to the U.S. will be impacted by "a trifecta of slower economies, a stronger dollar, and antipathy towards the US."

Preliminary government data indicates that inbound travel to the U.S. dropped by 2% in February compared to the same period last year.

Canadian Visitors Declining Amid Trade Disputes

Tensions with Canada have escalated after Trump’s assertion that the country should become the U.S.'s "51st state," alongside newly imposed tariffs on Canadian goods.

"Now is also the time to choose Canada," then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated in a February speech following Trump’s tariff announcements. "It might mean changing your summer vacation plans to stay here in Canada and explore the many national and provincial parks, historical sites and tourist destinations our great country has to offer."

This call appears to have resonated with Canadian travelers.

Canada, the largest source of international visitors to the U.S., has seen a sharp drop in trips across the border. In February alone, the number of car trips from Canada to the U.S. plunged by 23% compared to the previous year, according to Statistics Canada. Similarly, travel from the U.S. to Canada declined by 7.9% over the same period.

Bertha Lopez, a 54-year-old from Toronto, shared with the Washington Post that she used to make frequent trips across the U.S. border to shop for everyday goods. However, recent rhetoric from Trump has led her to reconsider her travel habits entirely.

Lopez canceled a planned trip to Arizona to visit a friend’s sick husband and instead opted to bring her friend to Canada instead.

"All of this talk of making Canada the 51st state has been upsetting. It’s just incredibly offensive," she said. "So I’m doing what I can: No more Tide. No more Coca-Cola. No more Disney. And barring a funeral or someone in the hospital, I am not going to the United States."

Greenland Controversy Adds to European Travel Decline

Reigniting discussions from his first term, Trump has once again expressed interest in purchasing Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory. Both Denmark and Greenland’s leadership have firmly stated that the territory is not for sale.

This renewed controversy may be influencing travel from Europe. U.S. government data reveals that overall travel from Western Europe decreased by 1% in February compared to the previous year, with Danish visitors declining by 6%.

The February report from Tourism Economics warned that "travel from Western Europe, which represented 37% of overseas travel to the U.S. last year, is susceptible to declines as a result of both tariffs and the administration's perceived recent alignment with Russia in the war in Ukraine as sentiment towards the U.S. is damaged."

Adding to these economic tensions, Trump recently threatened to impose a 200% tariff on alcoholic beverages imported from the European Union. He described the EU as "one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the World."

German Tourists Rethink U.S. Road Trips

Jens Muellers, 31, had planned a summer road trip across the U.S. national parks with his father, traveling from Germany to Seattle. However, growing concerns over travel costs and political uncertainty have led them to reconsider their itinerary.

A Shifting Travel Landscape

With the United States facing declining international visitor numbers and a potential tourism revenue shortfall, experts warn that the industry may need to adjust to shifting global perceptions and economic realities.

While the long-term impact remains uncertain, these trends indicate that political decisions continue to play a significant role in shaping global travel behaviors.