Number of Dutch bookings to the US, but those who do are not worried

The Dutch travelers who check in at Schiphol on Sunday morning for a flight to the United States are not worried about tightened border controls on arrival. None of the respondents in line at the check -in counter go on vacation. They go for a work or family visit to New York, Washington, Houston or Atlanta. They have heard about the incidents with foreign travelers, but have not taken measures.

Only the 29-year-old engineer-« rather not a name, precisely because of this subject »-who is going to look up his sister in New York, has removed messages on WhatsApp and Signal with ‘Trump’ in it. « To be sure, I don’t feel like problems. » His sister, married to an American, had warned him: make sure everything is in order. The engineer is not worried about his online presence: « I am reluctant anyway, I don’t want to be too visible on social media. »

French scientist

Traveling to the US has changed since President Trump took office. The stricter immigration policy initially has consequences for migrants, but also for tourists and business visitors. Last week messages came out about three German travelers who were secured on arrival, a British punk band that was refused in Los Angeles, a Canadian actress who twelve days in detention. A French scientist on his way to a congress was refused Due to criticism of the research policy of the Trump government, according to the French Minister of Higher Education and Research. Employees of the US Customs and Border Protection found conversations of the scientist with friends and colleagues on his computer and telephone.

Isabel (27) is on the way to a congress for plastic surgeons – « functional, not aesthetic » – in Washington. She knows about the incident with the French scientist, but is not worried. She is mainly looking forward to the congress. « I am on social media, but that is more professional and social, not political. » Suppose the customs in Washington are viewing her phone? « I would find that weird, a violation of my privacy. But you have no choice. » Indication of Socialemedia accounts is optional at Requesting an ESTAthe commonly used alternative to a visa when traveling to the US.

Germany and the UK their travel advice adapted; They warn their citizens that they must strictly meet all entry conditions that the US sets, and that a violation can lead to arrest and detention. Denmark and Finland warn their citizens that an X in the passport can cause problems because the Trump government only recognizes men and women. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet added a warning on the travel advicea spokesperson does not want to say or that is being considered.

Loss of 18 billion dollars

Even before the recent incidents with foreign travelers, Trump already caused a decreasing enthusiasm to visit the US. Tourism Economics, part of quantitative predictor Oxford Economics, looked in a report from the end of February according to the impact of the trade wars that Trump has started with different countries. The strong dollar and a negative ‘travelentiment’ ensure that visitors drop out.

The report provides a decrease of 5.1 percent with foreign visitors to the US before 2025. At the end of December the prediction was still an increase of 8.8 percent. This year, the American tourist industry misses $ 18 billion in income, says Tourism Economics. In 2024, 37 percent of the foreign visit came from Western Europe.

Maybe it’s naive, but it will be fine, I think

Trump provides uncertainty and tourists do not like it, says Frank Radstake, director of the branch organization for travel companies ANVR. The booking monitor, a monthly survey with thirty thousand respondents, shows before January A decrease of 20 percent of booked vacations to the US compared to January 2024. Radstake: « That is a huge fall. And what I hear from our members can sometimes exceed 30 percent for February. »

A perspective is in place, says Radstake. January 2024, the first year in which all travel restrictions were over, was a period in which extremely many vacations were booked. And: In the first term of Trump there was also a dip in travel to the US. But the ANVR does see a shift in popular holiday destinations. « People more often choose Canada and South America. Also for Asia, and in particular China and Japan. »

Annemarie (22) and Evie (20), physics and mechanical engineering students, are waved goodbye by their mothers. They first go to New York, then visiting Annemarie’s sister who is studying in Boston. Evie: « Maybe it’s naive, but it will be fine, I think. » Annemarie: « I am on social media, but that is not about politics. » On the way to the security Both daughters get a strong hug.

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