The US Faces Risk of Losing Billions of Dollars in Tourism
The US is experiencing significant losses in tourism revenue due to the impact of its strict immigration and trade policies. The decline in the number of international visitors is negatively impacting the economy.
The US has begun to experience significant losses in the tourism sector due to the impact of its strict immigration and trade policies. According to US government data, the number of foreign visitors to the country in March 2025 fell by 11.6% compared to the previous year. A decrease of 17.2% was recorded, especially among visitors from Western Europe.
Due to the Trump administration's border policies, deportation procedures, and high taxation practices, many tourists have removed the US from their travel itineraries. There has also been a significant decrease in travel to the US among Canadian citizens; vehicle visits decreased by 32% in March.
Adam Sacks, President of the Tourism Economics Research Group, stated that they expected a 9% increase in international travel for 2025 before Trump took office, but now they are predicting a 12% decrease. Sacks said, "This year, there may be a loss of approximately $10 billion in international tourism spending."
Important Destinations Affected
Travel to the US from countries such as Spain and Germany decreased by 25% and 28%, respectively. Countries such as the UK and Germany have updated their US travel advisories for their citizens.
Liberty Monument ticket sales in New York fell by 6% in April, while hotel reservations in the city decreased by 20% compared to last year. Major cities like Los Angeles also have serious concerns in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
Jackie Filla, President of the Los Angeles Hotel Association, said, "The global perception is that we are negatively impacting not only our own economy, but also the economies of others. People think it's unfair, and that's why they don't prefer the US."
Domestic Tourism Also at Risk
A decline is expected not only in international tourism but also in domestic tourism. It is stated that Americans may also reduce their travel expenses as the trade wars waged by the Trump administration reduce the disposable income of the public.
According to a survey conducted by the travel marketing company MMGY, 80% of Americans stated that they are considering changing their travel plans due to the economic situation.
The decrease in tourism revenues affects both Democratic and Republican states, regardless of political affiliation. Tourism-dependent states such as Florida, Texas, California, and New York will also be seriously affected by this negative situation.
Trump: “We Treat Our Visitors Wonderfully”
President Donald Trump stated that he did not care about the decline, saying, "We treat tourists wonderfully. We are the tourism capital of the world. There is no place like us."
However, contrary to these statements, industry representatives warn that the US is facing a serious and long-term risk of contraction in the field of tourism.
Source: Katharine Viner, Editor-in-chief, The Guardian
