President Donald Trump’s policies might reduce U.S. foreign traveller arrivals by 5.1%

Tourists from Western Europe are the most likely to choose other destinations, along with Canadians and Mexicans. 
| Photo Credit: AFP

In just a few weeks, the U.S. tourism outlook has clouded as a result of some of President Donald Trump’s policy decisions, which have angered some foreign visitors and prompted fear of a surge in prices and a stronger dollar.

Foreign traveller arrivals in the United States are expected to decline by 5.1% in 2025 compared to last year, against a previously projected increase of 8.8%, Tourism Economics said in a report published late last month. Their spending is expected to slide 10.9%.

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Since the report’s publication, “the situation has deteriorated further,” and the outcome will likely be even worse, Tourism Economics president Adam Sacks said, citing “the effects of antipathy towards the U.S.”

“A situation with polarising Trump Administration policies and rhetoric… will discourage travel to the U.S.,” said Tourism Economics, a subsidiary of Oxford Economics.

The World Tourism Forum Institute said a mix of stringent immigration policies, a strong dollar and global political tensions “could significantly affect” international arrivals, “potentially reshaping the nation’s tourism sector for years to come.”

Among residents of 16 European and Asian countries surveyed by YouGov, 35% of respondents said they were less likely to come to the U.S. under Mr. Trump, while 22% were more likely.

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For tourists from France, Uzbekistan, and Argentina, Mr. Trump’s stance has not upended their plans.

Tourists from Western Europe — who made up 37% of visitors in 2024 — are the most likely to choose other destinations, along with Canadians and Mexicans.

Canadians say NO

The U.S. Travel Association warned in early February that customs tariffs would deter Canadians, the largest contingent of foreign tourists in the U.S. with 20.4 million in 2024.

According to Statistics Canada, the number of Canadians returning from the United States fell 23% in February year-on-year.

According to Tourism Economics, the tourism sector could lose about $64 billion in revenue in 2025.