The United States is experiencing a sharp drop in international tourism, with economic policies, trade disputes, and diplomatic tensions driving visitors away. Once a top global travel destination, the country is now seeing a significant decline in foreign arrivals and spending, dealing a heavy blow to the tourism industry. According to the latest projections from Tourism Economics, the number of international visitors is expected to fall by 5.1% this year, reversing earlier forecasts of growth. This downturn is not just impacting the travel sector but also posing serious economic risks, with projected losses in foreign tourist spending reaching $18 billion. As tariffs, strained international relations, and recession fears take hold, the U.S. faces mounting challenges in maintaining its appeal as a global tourist hotspot.

The United States is witnessing a significant downturn in international tourism, driven by shifting economic policies, escalating trade tensions, and global backlash against the administration’s stance on foreign relations. According to a revised forecast from research firm Tourism Economics, the number of international visitors to the U.S. is expected to drop by 5.1%, a stark reversal from earlier projections of an 8.8% increase. The decline in tourism is also set to deliver a severe economic blow, with foreign visitor spending expected to plummet by 11%, translating into a staggering $18 billion loss for the year.

The deterioration in travel trends is being attributed to tariffs, strained diplomatic ties, and growing economic uncertainty. President Donald Trump’s trade policies, including aggressive tariffs on major U.S. trading partners such as Canada, Mexico, China, and the European Union, have fueled discontent abroad, discouraging tourists from visiting the country. Canada, in particular, has seen a 24% decline in returning car trips from the U.S. in February compared to the previous year, and overall travel from Canada is projected to fall by 15% this year.

Western Europe, which contributes to over a third of foreign tourism in the U.S., is also showing signs of decline. The Trump administration’s perceived alignment with Russia amid the Ukraine conflict has damaged sentiment among European travelers, further exacerbating the downward trend. The Washington Post analyzed government statistics and found that international arrivals to the U.S. fell by 2.4% in the last month alone, with particularly steep declines from Africa (9%), Central America (6%), and Asia (7%)—with Chinese tourism dropping by 11%.

Airlines are already feeling the pinch. Leading carriers have raised concerns over weakening international travel demand, attributing it to both economic uncertainty and policy-driven disruptions. Businesses, too, are scaling back on overseas travel, further compounding the losses in the tourism sector. At the same time, mass federal layoffs and broader concerns over a slowing economy have contributed to a growing fear of recession—a scenario that could further suppress consumer spending and economic activity.

Beyond the immediate impact on the tourism sector, the downturn is expected to have broader economic consequences. Spending by international visitors is counted as an export in economic data, meaning the decline in tourism revenue will widen the U.S. trade deficit. This, in turn, has played a key role in the Atlanta Fed’s GDP tracker turning negative for the first quarter, raising alarm bells on Wall Street.

Although similar tourism declines were observed during Trump’s first term, they were largely concentrated in specific regions, such as Mexico, China, and the Middle East. This time, the impact is far more widespread. With expanded tariffs, a hardline trade stance, and increasing geopolitical tensions, the U.S. is now facing a full-scale contraction in foreign tourism, with no clear path to recovery in sight.

The post United States Struggles To Maintain Tourism Growth As Foreign Visitors Cancel Plans At Unprecedented Rates appeared first on Travel And Tour World.