Key points
- Experts blame Trump’s return and policies
- Tariffs and immigration stance deter visitors
- Tourist spending projected to decline further
ISLAMABAD: International tourism to the United States is on the decline, and experts suggest the trend is unlikely to reverse soon, largely due to ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Between January and July this year, the number of overseas visitors, excluding those from Mexico and Canada, fell by over 3 million, a drop of 1.6 per cent compared to the same period last year, according to data from the United States National Travel and Tourism Office.
For the tourism industry, not all publicity is good publicity: our analysis of available data shows a significant drop in people visiting America this year https://t.co/tJ9kL4y29w pic.twitter.com/b0SVces7fp
— The Economist (@TheEconomist) August 27, 2025
Canadian statistics also revealed a downturn in cross-border tourism. For the first time in nearly 20 years, aside from two months during the pandemic, more Americans drove into Canada than Canadians into the US during June and July, according to The Independent.
Tough immigration stance
Experts and some local officials attribute the fall in foreign visitors to Donald Trump’s return to the presidency. His administration’s global tariffs, tough immigration stance, and provocative comments about acquiring Canada and Greenland have reportedly deterred international tourists.
“To see the traffic drop off so significantly, especially because of rhetoric that can be changed, is so disheartening,” said Patrick Kaler, CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara.
A decline in foreign visitors traveling to the United States has stretched well into the summer. https://t.co/5Ec95QOi27 pic.twitter.com/8vgRSz4gIj
— FOX26Houston (@FOX26Houston) September 1, 2025
The World Travel & Tourism Council had already forecast before Memorial Day that the US would be the only country among the 184 analysed to see a decline in foreign visitor spending in 2025.
“The world’s biggest travel and tourism economy is heading in the wrong direction,” said Julia Simpson, the council’s president and CEO. “While other nations are rolling out the welcome mat, the U.S. government is putting up the ‘closed’ sign.”
Reintroducing controversial policies
Tourism Economics, a travel research firm, projected an 8.2 per cent drop in international arrivals to the US next year. Current airline bookings suggest the steep downturn experienced in May, June, and July is likely to continue.
Deborah Friedland, managing director at Eisner Advisory Group, said the American travel sector is facing a combination of geopolitical strains, political instability, and higher travel costs.
Breaking: The U.S. is now the only country out of 184 economies where visitor spending is falling. Tourism is set to drop $12.5B in 2025, 22.5% below peak.
* 35% of travelers less likely to visit U.S.
* Sweden 50%, Denmark 44%, Germany 39% steering clear
* Canada collapse: only… https://t.co/7WQVEqigL6— P a u l ◉ (@SkylineReport) September 1, 2025
Since returning to the office, Trump has reintroduced some controversial policies from his first term. These include a travel ban affecting mainly African and Middle Eastern nations, stricter visa processes, and an increase in immigration raids.
His renewed push for tariffs on foreign imports has also left many international travellers feeling unwelcome.
“Perception is reality,” Friedland said.
Despite the overall decline, more visitors from Argentina, Brazil, Italy, and Japan have travelled to the US this year.
