Tourists began to avoid the United States
|
In just a few weeks, forecasts for the development of tourism in the United States were marred as a result of the political decisions of President Donald Trump, who disappointed or frightened foreign tourists so much that some refused to travel to the United States.
- Foreign visitors are expected to decrease by 5.1% In 2025, compared to 2024 (77.7 million – or +17% compared to 2023 – according to the non -contributing data from the US National Travel and Tourism Office, NTTO)
- The predictions so far were for an increase of 8.8%.
- That means a total drop of 14% (Real 4 million tourists less than 2024)
- Their expenses in the US probably will decrease by 10.9%adds the France Press Agency
According to a Yougov survey among residents of 16 European and Asian countries in December, 35% say they are unlikely to visit the United States under Trump’s rule, while for 22% they are more likely to do so.
There is also a potential for a problem with many foreign citizens who are part of the staff of US and international organizations with the presence in the US or scientists visiting longer programs, as has already happened with a French border researcher.
According to Tourism Economics, « The situation is divided by the Trump administration’s policies and rhetoric … will lead to refusal to travel to the United States. » Some organizations will be under pressure to avoid hosting events in the US or send their employees outside the United States, which will affect business trips. «
The World Tourist Forum Institute (WTFI) in London hard that the mixture of strict immigration policies, a strong dollar and global political tensions can significantly affect « international trips with the » potential to reformat the tourism sector in the United States for years to come).
- Europeans have invested 155 billion. dollars for trips to US in 2023according to EU data, and transatlantic trips have increased airline revenue such as British Airways in the last quarters, Reuters said.
- Foreigners spend 7-8 times more than American tourists, according to the US Travel Association.
- In February 2024, the growth of visitors to the US from Western Europe was 14%.
- For the same month of 2025, the decline was 1 percentage point, according to preliminary data NTTO.
- This is due to a drop of 26% of travelers from Slovenia, followed by Switzerland and Belgium.
The annoyance of the Danes
But particularly sensitive to the subject are the Danes Due to Trump’s continuous speaking about annexation of Greenland and continuing visits – including one starting today – by officials from the United States, identified by Copenhagen as provocative. In February alone, the drop in travel to the United States from Denmark was 6% annually after an increase of 7% in the same month last year, according to NTTO.
| Danish Kim Kogogel Sorenson, told Reuters that he had canceled a trip to California for a family friend’s wedding and removed a tattooed flag of the United States so it doesn’t look pro -American. His compatriot Kenneth Brask liked a fishing trip to Florida two years ago and planned to return this year, but after watching Trump holding on to the White House with Volodimir Zelenski, he canceled and said he would not step in the United States while he was president. |
« We consciously decided not to spend a marketing cent for any tours to the United States, because customers do not respond to it, as well as because of the current situation and the attitude in particular to Denmark and Greenland, » said Stein Albrechtsen, a senior product manager at Albatros Travel in Copenhagen.
Solidarity with Canada
In particular, the Germans turn their gaze to Canada as an alternative, the German tourist agency America Unlimited told Reuters. With Trump’s threats to turn Canada into the 51st state, some Europeans look at vacation there as a sign of solidarity. « Canada is experiencing an unprecedented boom, » said American CEO Unlimited Timo Colberg.
Canadians, in turn, can head to Europe this summer as they avoid traveling to the United States. European holiday properties ranked 32% leap in reservations from Canadians between June and August on an annual basis, according to Key Data, a short -term rental analysis company.
Other tourist companies, such as the largest European tour operator TUI, are still expecting the US market to stay, especially for urban travel and camper tours. « We expect more passengers from Germany to rest in the United States than in 2024, » a TUI spokesman told Reuters.
In February, German visits to the US decreased by 9% on an annual basis after increasing by 18% during the same period a year ago, according to NTTO.
| The US Tourism Association warned in early February that Trump’s duties will refuse Canadians, the largest contingent of foreign tourists in the United States from 20.4 million visitors in 2024. According to statistics on Canada The number of Canadians returned after a visit to the United States has dropped by 23% in February on an annual basis, which marks a two -month decline. |
Congressmen in the US try to limit the search of telephones on the border
For New York, which has welcomed 12.9 million foreign tourists in 2024, the effect is quite obvious with the rejection of reservations and the decline in sought after online places in hotels, as well as Broadway performances, said New York Julie Cocker Tourism President.
For tourists from France, Uzbekistan and Argentina, interviewed at the Times Square in New York, Trump’s political moves have not changed their plans. Marianalla Lopez and Eileen Hadzhikovakis, both 33 years old, use their European passports, not Argentine, to avoid border problems. « We were a little scared of the situation, but we didn’t change our plans, » Lopez said.
The Lagarder family coming from France has also changed nothing. The Americans « chose this president. This is a democracy. If they are not satisfied, they will change it in four years, » said 54-year-old Laurent Lagarder. « He is what he is, » avoiding visits to the United States « will change nothing, » Lagarder adds.
Returned from the border
Several reports of traveling testify to the refusal of entry in recent weeks, at a time when Donald Trump’s administration continues to take action against illegal immigration, writes Washington Post.
| At airports and border points, the cases of return were related to foreign visitors, as well as legally residents in the United States. Traveling from Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as their families, criticized the way they were treated after being detained at customs premises and places intended for migrants for visa issues. |
« People’s stories are a lot of concern, » said Nur Zafar, a senior lawyer in the Immigrant Rights Protection Project to the American Union for Civil Liberties (ACLU). « I think we are currently in the period of implementation of more aggressive border policies. This requires people to take additional precautions. »
What are the rights of the US border
It depends on the immigration status of every citizen. US citizens cannot be prevented from entering the country.
Legally resident (with green cards) cannot be deported or lose their status without being heard by an immigration judge beforehand.
Foreign citizens and visas owners are subject to a US customs and border service, which decide whether a citizen can enter the country. They have the authority to refuse access at their discretion.
What measures should be taken before traveling
Zafar recommends that travelers, especially those who are non -US citizens, have an immigration law lawyer at an emergency lawyer if they are detained at the border or need legal council.
Travelers also need to consider what information is on their personal electronic devices that can be reviewed, says Esha Bandari, deputy director of the ACLU project (communication, personal space and technology).
What you can be questioned about
US citizens and permanent legal residents should only answer questions that establish their identity and citizenship or permanent residence, according to ACLU. However, refusing to answer other routine questions may delay your entry into the United States.
Visas and visa owners can be denied access if they refuse to answer employee questions.
What involves searching personal devices
There are two types of electronic devices search: basic and more extensive. At the first, the employee manually examines the device without additional equipment.
In advanced demand, an employee connects external equipment to a device to review, copy or analyze its contents. In suspected cases, employees require the approval of the manager to carry out advanced demand, explains the customs and border service of the United States.
