Cancelled Plans Due to Political Climate
Olja Ivanic was excited to host her cousins from Sweden at her home in Denver this June. They had plans to hike in Colorado and visit Los Angeles and San Francisco together. However, following President Donald Trump’s harsh remarks towards Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a February meeting at the White House, Ivanic’s relatives promptly decided to cancel their trip and vacation in Europe instead.
Impact on U.S. Tourism
U.S. tourism officials had initially projected a strong recovery in 2025, anticipating a surge in international visitors in 2024 that might return to pre-COVID levels. Yet, three months into this year, international arrivals have sharply declined. Many foreign travelers, dismayed by Trump’s tariffs and rhetoric and concerned about reports of tourists being detained at the border, are opting to travel elsewhere instead of visiting the U.S.
Statistics Reflect Decline
Preliminary data released by the federal government’s National Travel and Tourism Office indicates that international visits to the U.S. fell by 11.6% in March compared to the same month last year. Although this data does not encompass arrivals from Canada, which is expected to report soon, air travel from Mexico also decreased by 23%. In total, during the first quarter of the year, 7.1 million visitors traveled to the U.S. from abroad, 3.3% less than the previous year.
Forecast Adjustments
Tourism Economics, a travel forecasting firm, recently downgraded its expectations for international arrivals this year from an anticipated increase to a predicted decline of 9.4%. They suggest that Canada, the largest source of visitors to the U.S., may experience the most significant drops due to Trump’s remarks and policies, resulting in a 40% decrease in leisure bookings to the U.S. from there compared to last year.
Travelers Respond to Political Tensions
Some individuals have personally adjusted their travel plans in response to the U.S. political climate. For instance, Ian Urquhart, a professor emeritus in Canada, canceled a planned trip to Las Vegas due to what he described as Trump’s disparaging tone toward Canada. Pepa Cuevas from Madrid, similarly disturbed by Trump’s presidency, chose to ski in Japan instead of Colorado.
Financial Implications of the Decline
The decline in international tourism is anticipated to have significant financial consequences, with experts predicting that U.S. spending by international visitors could decrease by $9 billion this year alone. Domestic travel firms are reporting a drop in bookings, with some experiencing declines of up to 50% depending on the market.
Varied International Reactions
Despite the negative outlook, some travelers remain undeterred. Haruka Atomiya from Tokyo, who regularly visits the U.S., expressed her intentions to continue visiting unless safety becomes a concern, highlighting that changes in perceptions of America due to its political landscape will influence future travel decisions.
