Trump Policies Drive 6% Drop in Foreign Visitors to US

Foreign tourists are expressing their dissatisfaction with the policies of the Trump administration by choosing not to travel to the United States. This trend has led to a significant decrease in the number of international visitors during the summer vacation period. The decline in tourism is particularly noticeable among visitors from Canada, Europe, and other regions, who are opting to travel within their own countries or to other destinations instead of the United States.

According to data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the number of foreign visitors entering the United States through major airports has decreased by 6% compared to the same period last year. Additionally, summer flight bookings from Europe to the United States have dropped by approximately 12%, indicating that the decline in tourist numbers is likely to persist in the short term.

Several foreign tourists have shared their reasons for canceling their plans to visit the United States. Concerns over the Trump administration's policies on immigration and reports of foreigners being detained and deported have made some tourists wary of traveling to the U.S. Others have chosen to boycott American tourism as a form of protest against the administration's policies.

Canada, which is the largest source of international tourists to the United States, has seen a significant drop in the number of visitors. In April, the number of Canadians traveling to the United States by air decreased by 20%, while the number of those crossing the border by land dropped by 35%. This trend is expected to continue, with summer flight bookings from Canada to the United States down by 22% compared to the previous year. Flights to popular destinations such as Los Angeles and Miami have seen a reduction of about one-third.

Businesses in border towns, which rely heavily on Canadian tourists, are feeling the impact. John Parmelee, who runs a restaurant in Plattsburgh, New York, near the Canadian border, has noticed a significant decrease in the number of Canadian visitors since early May. To attract more Canadian tourists, Parmelee is considering displaying a large Canadian flag outside his restaurant and offering discounts to Canadian customers. He expressed his concern about the future, comparing the situation to the uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mark Toews, a Canadian truck driver, had planned a road trip through the United States but changed his plans due to the Trump administration's controversial statements about "annexing Canada." Toews decided to spend his vacation traveling within Canada instead, stating that he wanted to make a political statement by not spending money in the United States.

Tourists from Europe and other regions have also altered their summer travel plans. David Byrne, a retired business executive from London, canceled his trip to New York to watch the U.S. Open tennis tournament, citing his dissatisfaction with the Trump administration's treatment of foreign tourists. Instead, he booked a two-week vacation in Greece. Similarly, Achim Diergarten, a lawyer from Munich, decided to visit Vancouver, Canada, instead of the U.S. West Coast, expressing concern over reports of Europeans being detained and deported from the United States.

The decline in international tourism is having a noticeable impact on businesses that rely on foreign visitors. Scott Mills, the general manager of the Garland Hotel in California, reported a 30% decrease in international guests this year, with future bookings also down. Mills attributed the decline to political concerns, visa issues, and the impact of wildfires on the region's scenery. Some tourists mistakenly believed that the entire city of Los Angeles had been destroyed by the fires, further deterring them from visiting.

While international tourism contributes only a small portion to the U.S. GDP, certain regions that depend heavily on tourism are likely to be severely affected. Small businesses, which make up the majority of the tourism industry, are particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in demand. The decline in tourist numbers is expected to result in a decrease of approximately 850 million dollars in spending by international visitors in 2025, a reduction of about 5%.