US Tourism Declines Amid Trump's Policies, Concerns Rise

Following President Donald Trump's return to office, the outlook for U.S. tourism has significantly worsened, with projected foreign traveler arrivals expected to decline by 5.1% in 2025, a stark contrast to previous expectations of an 8.8% increase. Factors contributing to this decline include fears of higher prices, a stronger dollar, and heightened concerns about immigration enforcement, which have led some travel agents to discourage trips to the U.S. Reports of tourists being detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection have also risen, prompting fears among potential visitors about their safety and treatment upon arrival. This situation has prompted several countries, including Germany and the U.K., to issue travel advisories for their citizens considering travel to the U.S. Expats living abroad have noted that discussions inevitably turn to American politics, often centered around Trump's policies and their international repercussions. The combination of political tensions and aggressive immigration enforcement is creating a chilling effect on international tourism to the U.S.