Trump Blamed as U.S. Tourism Falls for First Time in 20 Years

International travel to the United States has taken a sharp downturn. Industry leaders blame President Donald Trump’s policies, concerns about the border, and America’s negative image abroad for why foreign visitors are choosing other destinations.

The World Travel & Tourism Council estimates that the United States could lose $12.5 billion in international visitor spending by 2025. Foreign travel spending is expected to drop to just under $169 billion from $181 billion in 2024.

Reuters noted that this projected 7% decline is due to political factors, a strong dollar, and fears about border entry, which push travelers away from U.S. vacations.

A forecast from the U.S. Travel Association for spring 2026 showed that inbound international visits fell 5.5% in 2025 to 68.3 million, mainly due to a decrease in visitors from Canada. International inbound travel spending decreased by 2.4% to $175 billion in 2025 and is still 18% below 2019 levels when adjusted for inflation.

WTTC President and CEO Julia Simpson told Reuters that international travelers are skipping the United States because of Trump administration policies, worries about being detained at the border, and the unfavorable exchange rate.

“Of 184 countries, the U.S. is the only one seeing a decline in international visitor spending,” Simpson said. “The U.S. is definitely losing its status in this area.”

This decline signifies a major shift for the world’s largest travel and tourism economy.

WTTC reported that the United States contributed $2.63 trillion to global travel and tourism GDP in 2025 and supported 20.4 million jobs.

However, the country lost ground as 80 million more people traveled internationally in 2025, with many choosing destinations other than the United States.

Travel from Canada and Mexico, the two largest sources of inbound visitors to the U.S., dropped about 20% year-over-year, according to Reuters, which cited WTTC. Visits from the United Kingdom, Germany, and South Korea also showed a downward trend.

Canada has emerged as a significant concern for the U.S. tourism industry. U.S. Travel reported that visits from Canada decreased by 21% in 2025, but it expects some recovery in 2026. The association anticipates that reaching 2019 visitor levels may not happen until 2029.

The political climate has added extra pressure on the industry. Reuters mentioned that Germany updated its U.S. travel advisory in March 2025, warning citizens that a visa or entry waiver does not guarantee entry after several Germans were detained at the border.

The Trump administration also requires foreigners 14 years and older to register and submit fingerprints if they stay longer than 30 days. This includes Canadians who previously could visit for up to six months without needing a visa.

“The rest of the world is putting out welcome signs and inviting people to visit,” Simpson told Reuters. “The U.S. currently has a firm ‘we’re not open for business’ sign, which is a great shame.”

Domestic travel has helped soften the blow. U.S. Travel stated that domestic travel makes up 87% of total travel spending and has returned to 2019 levels when adjusted for inflation. Domestic leisure spending is expected to grow again in 2026, though rising prices are leading many Americans to opt for shorter, less expensive trips.

The United States still has opportunities for recovery. The 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics are expected to attract new waves of foreign visitors. WTTC believes the World Cup alone could bring in about 1.24 million international visitors during the event.

However, industry forecasts indicate that the rebound will likely be uneven. U.S. Travel warned that inbound visits are still vulnerable to visa fees, long waits for visa applications, and negative sentiments toward the United States in key markets.