International tourism to the U.S. is facing significant headwinds in 2025 due to President Trump's policies, including immigration measures and trade tariffs [1, 2, 5]. These policies are contributing to a perception of the U.S. as less welcoming, leading to a decline in international arrivals [5, 7, 16].
Decline in Tourist Numbers
Several reports indicate a drop in international visitors [1, 4, 5]. In March 2025, there was a 17% decrease in European tourists compared to the previous year [4]. Overall, international arrivals have fallen by more than 5% this year, potentially causing a $64 billion blow to the U.S. travel sector [5].
Impact on Key Markets
Tourism from Canada has significantly declined, with some studies showing a large percentage of Canadian adults are now deterred from traveling to the U.S. [1, 8]. Air Canada has reduced its spring flight schedule to some U.S. destinations due to lack of demand [1].
Economic Ramifications
The U.S. could lose billions in tourism revenue if the current trends persist [5, 14]. A significant drop in travel from Canada alone could put many jobs at risk and result in billions of dollars in lost spending [7]. The U.S. is now running a substantial travel trade deficit, a sharp reversal from its historical surplus in travel exports [8].