• International tourism to the U.S. is predicted to drop 9.4% in 2025, driven by political rhetoric, economic policies, and strained international relations under President Trump.
• Key markets like Canada and Europe are seeing steep declines, with visitor spending expected to fall by $9 billion, impacting destinations like New York, Florida, and Texas.
• Travelers cite political concerns, such as Trump’s treatment of foreign leaders and controversial statements, as reasons for avoiding U.S. trips.

Global tourism to the U.S. is taking a significant hit in 2025, with fewer international visitors opting to vacation here. The downturn comes as political rhetoric, economic policies, and international relations under President Donald Trump increasingly discourage travelers. Tourism Economics, a prominent travel forecasting firm, now predicts a 9.4% decline in international arrivals this year — a stark reversal from earlier optimistic projections.

The U.S. travel industry had anticipated 2025 to show strong growth, with arrivals expected to rebound to pre-pandemic levels. However, official data from the National Travel and Tourism Office reveals a troubling trend: overseas visits dropped 11.6% in March compared to the same month last year. In the first quarter, 7.1 million visitors entered the U.S., down 3.3% compared to the same period in 2024.

Political Climate Drives Travelers Away

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For many tourists, President Trump’s policies and rhetoric are proving to be deal-breakers. In February, Olja Ivanic, a Denver resident and CEO of Longevity Labs, was looking forward to hosting relatives from Sweden. They had planned an adventure-packed trip, including hiking in Colorado and visiting Los Angeles and San Francisco. However, their plans changed after Trump admonished Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a White House meeting. The relatives canceled their U.S. visit, choosing Europe instead.

“The way Trump treated a democratic leader in wartime was shocking to them,” Ivanic explained. Stories like hers mirror growing sentiment among international travelers avoiding the U.S.

Canada and Europe Among Hardest-Hit Markets

Tourism Economics anticipates steep declines from Canada, historically the largest market for U.S. visitors. Canadian travel to the U.S. dropped sharply following tariffs imposed on Canadian goods and Trump’s controversial remarks suggesting Canada should become the 51st state. Flight Centre Travel Group Canada reported a 40% decline in leisure bookings to U.S. destinations in March compared to 2024.

The European market is also cooling. Marco Jahn, CEO of New World Travel, noted a 20%-50% drop in bookings from Scandinavian countries, citing locals’ frustration over Trump’s repeated threats to take control of Greenland. “The U.S. no longer feels like a welcoming place,” Jahn said.

Economic and Cultural Impacts

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This decline in tourism carries financial consequences. Tourism Economics predicts international visitor spending will fall by $9 billion this year. Popular destinations like Florida, Texas, and New York are hit hardest. For instance, Air Canada reduced spring flights to U.S. hotspots like Las Vegas and Arizona due to waning demand.

Other factors, like currency exchange rates, amplify the problem. Takaaki Mitamura from Tokyo-based Veltra Corp mentioned that Japanese travelers now prefer destinations like South Korea and Thailand, where the weak yen has less impact.

The “Trump Slump”

Wolfgang Georg Arlt, CEO of the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute, dubbed the drop in Chinese visitors the “Trump Slump.” Leisure trips from China are down nearly 1%, with fewer tourists heading to Disneyland, Hawaii, or New York. Many are waiting to return until Trump leaves office.

Even eco-conscious European tourists are turning away. American Ring Travel, a California-based tour operator offering carbon-neutral U.S. bus tours, saw German bookings flatline after Elon Musk endorsed a far-right German political party earlier this year.

Travelers Speak Out

Some travelers are canceling trips as an act of protest. Ian Urquhart, a Canadian professor, canceled a planned trip to Las Vegas to see Coldplay, forfeiting a $500 deposit. “It’s one of the few ways we can communicate how we feel about the disrespect directed at Canada by President Trump,” Urquhart explained.

Similarly, Pepa Cuevas from Madrid chose Japan over Colorado for a winter ski holiday. “Trump’s election left me stunned,” she said. “For now, we’ve lost any desire to return to the U.S.”

Looking Ahead

The U.S. government remains optimistic. The National Travel and Tourism Office recently predicted a 6.5% increase in 2025 arrivals based on 2024 trends. Yet, Tourism Economics warns that unless perceptions of the U.S. improve, international arrivals may not return to pre-pandemic levels until 2029.

As travel choices shift, the global tourism industry will watch closely to see whether the U.S. can repair its standing on the world stage.

Join the Conversation!

Have you reconsidered traveling to the U.S. due to recent political or economic factors? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this article with your friends.

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