Tourism to the U.S. Takes a Hit as Trump’s Policies Spark Global Backlash.

After years of recovery following the pandemic, U.S. tourism was poised for a major comeback. But a recent forecast suggests that international travel to the United States is headed in the opposite direction—thanks in large part to the Trump administration’s policies and rhetoric.

Tourism Economics, a respected travel forecasting firm, now predicts a 9.4% drop in foreign visitors to the U.S. this year. That’s nearly double the decline they anticipated just a few months ago. Earlier in the year, optimism was high: international travel was expected to grow by 9% from 2024. So, what changed?

According to Adam Sacks, President of Tourism Economics, it’s a combination of high-profile incidents and ongoing diplomatic tensions. From European tourists being detained at U.S. borders, to public spats with Canada and even Greenland, to aggressive trade tariffs and a controversial exchange with Ukraine’s president, the international community is increasingly uneasy about visiting the U.S.

“With each policy development, each rhetorical missive, we’re just seeing unforced error after unforced error,” Sacks said. “It has a direct impact on international travel to the U.S.”

And the impact isn’t just political—it’s economic. Tourism is a major engine for U.S. revenue. Fewer visitors mean fewer dollars spent at hotels, restaurants, national parks, and cultural landmarks. Sacks estimates that international visitors will spend $9 billion less in the U.S. compared to last year.

One of the sharpest declines is expected from Canada, with travel predicted to drop by 20%. That’s not just bad news for border states like New York and Michigan—it could seriously impact popular tourist spots in California, Nevada, and Florida. The U.S. Travel Association warns that even a 10% drop in Canadian tourism could cost 14,000 jobs and over $2 billion in lost revenue.

Even airlines are feeling the chill. Air Canada reported that U.S.-bound bookings were down 10% for the April-September travel season, compared to last year.

Perhaps the greatest irony here is that the administration’s push for tariffs and trade restrictions was intended to boost the U.S. economy. But if fewer tourists come to spend money, the trade balance takes a hit in a very different way.

International tourism had been slowly clawing its way back to pre-pandemic levels. Now, experts believe it might take until 2029 to return to where we were in 2019.

As global perceptions of the U.S. shift, so too does its appeal as a travel destination. The message from abroad is becoming clear: policies have consequences—and tourism is one of the first places we feel them.