America’s tourism industry is bracing for a staggering $10 billion loss this year as President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdowns and trade policies drive international visitors away.
Cheryl, a longtime traveler from St. Kitts, typically spent $10,000 annually visiting her children in Iowa. This year, however, she canceled her trip, citing fears over safety and border detentions. “I love my family more than anything,” she said. “But I don’t feel safe.”
She’s part of a wider trend. Government data reveals overseas visitors to the U.S. dropped 11.6% in March compared to the previous year, with a sharp 17.2% plunge from western Europe. Travel from Canada has been particularly affected, forcing airlines to cut flights and car crossings to fall by 32%.
Experts had predicted a post-pandemic rebound for U.S. tourism in 2025, but instead, international travel is expected to shrink by 12%. Adam Sacks, president of Tourism Economics, highlighted that hostility towards the U.S. is influencing travel decisions. “Travelers can choose to go anywhere — and sentiment matters,” he said.
Major destinations are already feeling the impact. Ticket sales for the Statue of Liberty have dipped 6%, New York City hotel bookings are down 20%, and tourism-dependent cities like Los Angeles are facing mounting concerns over job losses.
Despite the downturn, Trump brushed off the figures, saying, “We treat our tourists great. There’s no place like America.” However, with international and even domestic travel likely to decline further as economic pressures mount, both red and blue states face significant financial fallout.
