Times Square in New York City is usually a popular tourist destination, but foreign visitors may stay away in bigger numbers due to US President Donald Trump's policies, industry experts say. (AFP)
In just a few weeks, the US 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 traveler arrivals in the United States are expected to decline by 5.1 percent in 2025 compared to last year, against a previously projected increase of 8.8 percent, Tourism Economics said in a report published late last month.
Their spending is expected to slide 10.9 percent.
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 US."
In recent weeks, the Trump administration has slapped tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China -- and threatened to impose them on the European Union. A sweeping plan to curb immigration has intensified.
Government bodies like the US Agency for International Development have been decimated, thousands of civil servants from lawyers to park rangers have been laid off, and Trump has drawn up controversial plans for the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
"A situation with polarizing Trump Administration policies and rhetoric... will discourage travel to the US," said Tourism Economics, a subsidiary of Oxford Economics.
"Some organizations will feel pressure to avoid hosting events in the US, or sending employees to the US, cutting into business travel," it added.
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 in December, 35 percent of respondents said they were less likely to come to the United States under Trump, while 22 percent were more likely.
AFP
Passengers take photos of the Statue of Liberty, another popular tourist attraction, as they ride the Staten Island ferry
For tourists from France, Uzbekistan, and Argentina interviewed by AFP in New York's Times Square, Trump's stance has not upended their plans.Marianela Lopez and Ailen Hadjikovakis, both 33, nevertheless used their European passports rather than their Argentine ones to avoid any problems at the border.
"We were a bit scared about the situation, but we didn't change our plans," said Lopez.
The Lagardere family, who came from France, said it hadn't impacted their plans either.
The Americans "elected this president. It's democracy. If they're not happy, they'll change it in four years," said Laurent Lagardere, 54.
"He is who he is" and avoiding the United States "won't change anything," Lagardere added.
Some 77.7 million foreign tourists were expected in 2024, up 17 percent year-on-year, according to the National Travel and Tourism Office, which does not yet have final figures for last year.
AFP
Foreign visitors often visit New York's Broadway theater district to see shows such as 'The Lion King' -- masks from the show are on display at the Museum of Broadway in Times Square
Tourists from Western Europe -- who made up 37 percent of visitors in 2024 -- are the most likely to choose other destinations, along with Canadians and Mexicans.The US Travel Association warned in early February that customs tariffs would deter Canadians, the largest contingent of foreign tourists in the United States with 20.4 million in 2024.
According to Statistics Canada, the number of Canadians returning from the United States fell 23 percent in February year-on-year, the second consecutive monthly decline.
In New York, which welcomed 12.9 million foreign travelers in 2024, the effect is already noticeable, with Canadians canceling tour bookings and a drop in online searches for hotels or Broadway shows, NYC Tourism president Julie Coker told AFP.
She lowered her forecast for the year in February but said that so far, only Canadians are saying no to Trump's America.
"We're not currently seeing anything from the UK or Europe," because it's too early, she said. "We are definitely watching that very closely."
But British and German authorities have just warned their nationals to be extra vigilant with their travel documents, citing the risk of arrest.
United Airlines has noted a "big drop" in travel from Canada to the United States as well as a decline in demand for domestic travel, as have several competitors.
According to Tourism Economics, the tourism sector could lose about $64 billion in revenue in 2025 due to the decline in international and domestic travel.
Americans now appear frozen by the economic outlook, and terms like recession and inflation also scare tourists, along with the risk of a stronger greenback, experts point out.
"This will make the US more expensive for inbound travelers, dampening both visitor volume and average length of stay," noted Tourism Economics.
Professionals also fear the effects of tightening immigration policy on major sports events hosted by the United States, such as the Ryder Cup (2025), the FIFA World Cup (2026), and the 2026 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.