US Tourism Faces Sharp Decline as International Visitors Stay Away

New data reveals significant drops in travel from Europe and the UK, with analysts citing Trump-era policies and rhetoric as key deterrents.

International tourism to the US fell sharply in March 2025, with European visitors down 17% and UK travelers declining by 14.3% compared to the previous year.
The downturn in visitor numbers is linked to negative perceptions of the US, fueled by Donald Trump's protectionist rhetoric, tariff policies, and reports of deportations.
The tourism industry, accounting for 2.5% of US GDP, faces economic risks as airlines and hotels report reduced demand for transatlantic travel.
Travel experts warn that both leisure and business travel could see further declines, potentially impacting major upcoming events like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Countries such as Germany and Spain experienced even steeper drops in travel to the US, with declines of 28.2% and 24.6%, respectively, raising concerns about long-term damage to the US's reputation as a welcoming destination.