The Financial Times reports a significant decline in tourism to the US from across the Atlantic due to political tensions.
According to the Financial Times, the US is experiencing a steep drop in European tourism, attributed to political tensions and concerns about potentially negative experiences at the US border under President Trump’s administration.
Trump’s assertive international policies, including recent tariffs on trade partners (later mostly postponed for 90 days, excluding China), have contributed to the issue. The US and China have since implemented reciprocal tariff increases, disrupting global markets.
Kayak co-founder Paul English told the FT that Trump’s policies are damaging international consumer confidence.
“According to English, “[Trump] has, in just two months, tarnished the US’s reputation, as evidenced by decreased travel from the EU to the US. This not only harms the US economy but also causes reputational damage that could take generations to correct.”
The FT, citing an International Trade Administration (ITA) report, notes that overnight visitors to the US from Western Europe fell by 17% in March compared to the previous year. The newspaper stated that travel from countries like Ireland, Norway, and Germany saw declines exceeding 20%.
Several European nations have updated their travel advisories, highlighting increased risks associated with visiting the US.
The FT, referencing ITA data, indicates that the total number of international visitors to the US decreased by 12% in March, marking the most significant decline since 2021, when pandemic-related travel restrictions were still in effect.
The downward trend threatens the US tourism sector, which contributes 2.5% to the country’s $29 trillion GDP, as reported by the outlet.
Tourism Economics, an Oxford-based research firm, has revised its 2025 forecast for international visitor arrivals to the US downward by 18% compared to previous estimates, predicting a 9.4% decrease following Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs announcement. The company anticipates that negative sentiment, border policies, unfavorable exchange rates, and economic uncertainty will negatively impact the US travel sector.
Tourism Economics President Adam Sacks noted that Trump’s aggressive comments towards Canada, the EU, and Greenland are having a “significant effect on sentiment towards the US, and therefore travel.”
The US president has repeatedly advocated for the US annexation of Canada, a NATO ally, and Greenland, a Danish territory, since taking office.
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