While data so far is fairly limited, it’s pretty clear that we’re currently seeing a reduction in inbound tourism to the United States, for a variety of reasons. The question is, how big will the reduction be, and what impact will it have on airlines and hotels?
In this post:
Trump is putting people off visiting the US
I think that a vast majority of people — Democrats and Republicans — would agree that with Trump in The White House, inbound demand for tourism to the United States is decreasing. To be clear, that’s not supposed to be a controversial take, as I think for some people, that’s almost viewed as a feature rather than a bug.
There are several things driving this reality:
- Canada is one of the biggest foreign tourism markets for the United States, and with Trump threatening to invade Canada all while waging a tariff war, many Canadians are boycotting the United States, and would rather spend their tourism dollars elsewhere
- Trump’s tariff war goes beyond just Canada, and isn’t great for international relations, with a lot of people making the decision to spend money with “friendlier” countries
- We’re increasingly seeing countries issue travel warnings for the United States, including warning of increased risk of being detained (Germany and the United Kingdom have both issued new travel warnings in recent times), and there are stories of people being detained for extended periods of time without being able to communicate with their embassy, etc.
- With the immigration crackdown, more travelers may think twice about visiting the United States, especially from countries where there are significant immigration concerns, and where the chance of being denied entry may be higher
Trump has been in office now for around two months, and the data is a bit slow to come in, regarding the impact his policies have on international travel. That’s because many international trips are planned well in advance, so there’s a delay with how consumer behavior is evolving.
However, the initial data is pretty bleak. For example, starting in February 2025, we saw a sharp decline in the number of visitors from Canada to the United States, both by air and by car. We’ve seen airlines increasingly cut their transborder schedule, due to decreasing demand. The question is, how bad will it get, and what will it mean for airlines and hotels?
How big will the reduction in foreign visitors be?
As you’d expect, the coronavirus pandemic was a setback for US tourism. When Biden was president in 2023, the administration had the goal of increasing US tourism to 90 million international arrivals by 2026, which would be 9% above the 2019 numbers, and the first time that pre-pandemic numbers would be broken.
For what it’s worth, we currently have a bit of tourism “deficit,” which is to say that more Americans travel abroad than the other way around. In 2024, 73.4 million Americans traveled abroad, while 59.7 million foreigners traveled to the United States. So that means around 1.2x as many people traveled from the United States than to the United States.
It sure seems to me like our tourism deficit is about to increase even more — Americans aren’t going to stop traveling abroad, while I think it’s safe to assume that our inbound tourism market won’t grow as much as forecasted. Research firm Tourism Economics has slashed its outlook for inbound US tourism — rather than the previously expected 8.8% increase in tourism this year, the firm expects a 5.1% decline. A 13.9% shift in demand is massive.
Of course that’s just a projection, so I’m curious to see how bad the tourism “recession” really gets. Will the decline in tourism be 5.1% year-over-year? Or will it be smaller or bigger? And to what extent will it impact airlines and hotels? All we can do is speculate, but I think it’s something to watch over the next couple of years:
- Obviously not all destinations will be impacted equally, since some places have a lot more foreign visitors than others; for example, I’d expect Florida to be hit pretty hard, especially in winter, given its popularity with Canadians, overseas visitors, etc.
- In the case of airlines, even a couple of percentage point shift in demand can have major impacts to bottom lines, given how low margin the industry is; there’s only so much that can be done to stimulate domestic demand beyond what it already is
I think many people understate how big of a part of the US economy tourism is. Admittedly we have a robust domestic tourist market, but we also have a significant international one. Tourism drives trillions of dollars in revenue to the US economy each year, making up nearly 3% of the country’s GDP. Furthermore, around 16 million Americans work in tourism, and in dozens of states, tourism is one of the largest employment sectors.
Anyway, I think this is something that’s worth watching big picture. At the beginning of 2025, both Delta and United claimed that this would be their most profitable year ever. Now we’ve seen Delta significantly reduce its first quarter guidance, claiming that a reduction in consumer confidence is lowering demand. It’ll be interesting to see to what extent a drop in foreign tourism impacts airlines as well.
Bottom line
Tourism is a major part of the US economy, though foreign inbound demand seems to be decreasing at the moment. This is due to a combination of tariff wars, threats of invasion, concerns over being detained, and just a general boycott.
One research firm suggests we were supposed to see an 8.8% increase in tourism this year, but will instead see a 5.1% decline. This would obviously have significant implications for the US tourism industry, though it remains to be seen just how bad it will get. Over the coming quarters, it’ll be interesting to listen to airline and hotel earnings calls, to see if this has a material impact on their bottom line.
How bad to you see the US inbound tourism recession being in the coming years?
Interesting how the writer quickly passes by Biden's 2024 tourism deficit without comment but yet is full of commentary on the potential downturns under Trump. As our country changes direction under new leadership there will understandably be changes to the economy, industry, etc. I remember the "New Normal" from Biden to explain high inflation and rising prices. Hair on fire projections from the Progressive/Globalists of the world (Ben) tells me we are headed in the...
Interesting how the writer quickly passes by Biden's 2024 tourism deficit without comment but yet is full of commentary on the potential downturns under Trump. As our country changes direction under new leadership there will understandably be changes to the economy, industry, etc. I remember the "New Normal" from Biden to explain high inflation and rising prices. Hair on fire projections from the Progressive/Globalists of the world (Ben) tells me we are headed in the right direction.
Trying to respond to bad faith trolls like Tim Dunn and Arps is an exercise in futility, and I will now reclaim the rest of my life, as should you all.
“Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.”
― Mark Twain
right on man
Could not agree more. Time to stop throwing pearls before swine.
it is not a surprise that you and others call people who actually bring facts to the table trolls. All you have to do is debate facts, not antidotes and not personal experiences
I love to discuss topics like this because it proves how irrational and emotional. Some people are and highlights there, inability to discuss and debate facts.
Agree, never argue with an idiot, so I won't argue with you, good day
For all of you who won't come to the US because of Trump, let me bring you the news, we don't really care
Businesses who rely on tourism do, so do the people they employ. And the businesses who lose business because people who depend on tourism don't have money to spend should also care.
But you do you.
I think the strong US-Dollar alone creates a disincentive to visit the US (at the same time it encourages tourists from the US to visit Europe in droves and drive prices up here as well, an unfortunate development).
However the current political situation doesn't make the US more attractive for tourists. Between Jan 2017 and Jan 2021 I had the US on my personal blacklist for, well, reasons.
But while all incidents where...
I think the strong US-Dollar alone creates a disincentive to visit the US (at the same time it encourages tourists from the US to visit Europe in droves and drive prices up here as well, an unfortunate development).
However the current political situation doesn't make the US more attractive for tourists. Between Jan 2017 and Jan 2021 I had the US on my personal blacklist for, well, reasons.
But while all incidents where people were detained could be traced back to a specific issue, I couldn't fail to notice, that border personell seems to be extremely strict these days. And as I don't know what my file contains, I rather play it safe for now (like I do with China, Russia and Turkey), and hopefully only need to do that until January 2029 tops.
and, before covid, when you had a choice... you accomplished precisely WHAT in staying out of the US?
Peace of mind, less money spent in the US, especially not on DL. Not everybody is a person of global importance, Tim.
Delta was never a part of this discussion. Not sure why you need to insert it now.
If you get peace of mind by boycotting something, then keep your peace of mind.
You did absolutely nothing to harm the US or change anyone else's mind based on all the available data at this point in time.
Well I will not bring my family to USA from Scandinavia nor buy a Tesla as Trump sileneces opposition and lawyers who are against him. Our booked holiday to NY in April will not take place and I will not buy a new Tesla this year. I am worried that the americans dont see what is going on when University and opposition is being sileneced and workers bullied, until it is too late and Trump has the same power as Erdogan in Turkey f.e.
over 1000 Turks were imprisoned. You slap the Turks in the face by making such a comparison
Good point @Filip. Uncertain if @TimDunn is just trolling to troll, or if he is truly ignorant of the massive warning signs that we are headed in the same direction of other nations that were taken over by autocratic movements.
Americans have so internalized the notion of "American Exceptionalism" that they think we are incapable of going down an autocratic path. It can't happen here they say. Well, sadly, it can.
Let's hope enough of them wake up in time.
I can almost excuse your ignorance of the facts here since you live in the Euro bubble and know only what the US hating international press feeds you. The US is not a Socialist democracy like Scandinavia and it never will be. Don't bother "worrying" about Americans. You have more than enough to worry about living in Europe.
For my part, there's no chance of visiting the US in the next few years.
Of course, Trump and the MAGA morons are the main factor, but high prices and insane tipping also count.
For much less, I can go to Europe or Japan, places with far more attractions, good food, and culture.
"high prices and insane tipping also count."
that IS the reason.
quit trying to dress up economics with your political agenda.
the number of attractions, quality of food and culture hasn't changed since the end of 2024. If you want to go to Europe and Japan, do it.
Just don't tell us that you are not going to the US for reasons that are clearly not the REAL reason.
Hi Tim. As I said, the main reason is not wanting to travel to a country that's becoming increasingly xenophobic, one that doesn't want me there. I'd rather spend my money in a friendlier country.
you always have the choice as to where you want to spend your money.
but don't tell us that the value is not great and then tack on reasons such as attractions, food etc and THEN tell us that it really is about trying to make a statement to or about the US.
it has been proven over and over and over again that people act based on their economic interests while boycotts never work to achieve what people hope they will.
I understand that the MAGA mind is limited. I'm simply stating my reasons. Your interpretation is quite biased.
I am simply saying that your reasons include quantifiable economic reasons. Trying to throw in an unquantifiable political reason doesn't make all of the economic reasons invalid.
Look at the economic reasons FIRST and then if, in isolation, you can make an argument for your decisions, go for it.
Hi Tim. You're incorrect about boycotts never working. Here are just a few that have:
1. Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-56) ended segregation
2. Anti-Apartheid movement helped dismantle South African apartheid
3. Delano Grape Strike (1965-70) won farmworker rights
4. Tuna Boycott (1988) created dolphin-safe standards
5. North Carolina HB2 Boycott ($3.76B loss) led to repeal of anti-LGBTQ+ law
6. Bud Light Boycott (2023) cost $1.4B and top market position
Boycotts...
Hi Tim. You're incorrect about boycotts never working. Here are just a few that have:
1. Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-56) ended segregation
2. Anti-Apartheid movement helped dismantle South African apartheid
3. Delano Grape Strike (1965-70) won farmworker rights
4. Tuna Boycott (1988) created dolphin-safe standards
5. North Carolina HB2 Boycott ($3.76B loss) led to repeal of anti-LGBTQ+ law
6. Bud Light Boycott (2023) cost $1.4B and top market position
Boycotts don't always work, but there are significant examples of boycotts working.
if you in the least equate the rumors of a few incidents in US immigration policy to be anywhere close to apartheid or any of the other issues you cite above, you SERIOUSLY need to get help.
and the events you cite were all part of movements that were already in process - and not tied to other events.
You continue to refuse to believe that whatever changes in visitors to/from the US are driven...
if you in the least equate the rumors of a few incidents in US immigration policy to be anywhere close to apartheid or any of the other issues you cite above, you SERIOUSLY need to get help.
and the events you cite were all part of movements that were already in process - and not tied to other events.
You continue to refuse to believe that whatever changes in visitors to/from the US are driven by real economic factors like exchange rates because it doesn't fit your narrative that a few ticked off foreigners think they can tank the US economy
slam your hand on the table and stomp your feet. Someone else will come when you refuse to come.
@TimDunn there can be more than one reason for doing anything. There's a sushi place on my block that's become very expensive. They've also had a management change and service has gone downhill. I decided I wanted to be more selective about where I spent my restaurant dollars, so the service decline was a deciding factor.
It is likely true that Ricardo was disinclined to visit the US due to "high prices and insane tipping...
@TimDunn there can be more than one reason for doing anything. There's a sushi place on my block that's become very expensive. They've also had a management change and service has gone downhill. I decided I wanted to be more selective about where I spent my restaurant dollars, so the service decline was a deciding factor.
It is likely true that Ricardo was disinclined to visit the US due to "high prices and insane tipping also count", and Trump and his policies were the final straw.
Two things can be true at the same time without one being the "real" reason.
@DenB, I too love the resorts in Palm Springs and I'm looking forward to going to Inn***** next month. I've met some friends there for a few days in April for several years now and that is one US trip I won't cut. But I'm not from Canada so I'm affected less directly. If I were booking my trip now I'd have chosen CX, but I booked what I booked.
Funny how Americans are wanting to reduce inbound tourists, when themselves are busy going to Japan and taint the whole island over, thinking they could act like in their homeland.
MAGA?
America was never great to begin with.
While greatness is inherently subjective, if you define times of American greatness as being the moments in history when they best sought to pursue their high ideals, America was great when the country confronted its racial injustices and made significant legal progress toward equality in 1950s-60s. It was also great in the the Progressive Era (early 1900s) when democratic reforms expanded and corruption was addressed. And of course, the founding era and reconstruction era were...
While greatness is inherently subjective, if you define times of American greatness as being the moments in history when they best sought to pursue their high ideals, America was great when the country confronted its racial injustices and made significant legal progress toward equality in 1950s-60s. It was also great in the the Progressive Era (early 1900s) when democratic reforms expanded and corruption was addressed. And of course, the founding era and reconstruction era were both periods where America sought actively to be better.
Perfection is unknowable, and greatness is a pursuit, not a destination. America has have great moments before, and it can again. I sure hope it does.
Just a data point: My flights from the UK to the US and back (before the Heathrow breakdown) were both full, on the outbound there was even an overbooking situation (which did not personally affect me). I know this is not a statistically representative sample.
Also US immigration (GlobalEntry) was quick and kind, as usual.
Tim Dunn: "social media doesn't influence what happens in Washington DC"
Wut? It LITERALLY influences everything in Washington DC and every other capital around the world! Politicians campaign on it more than anywhere else, Russian troll farms invaded it a decade ago, bots influence voters and people take sides on their phones, never changing their minds over how they'll vote. Politicians live their whole lives on social media these days.
This might just - and...
Tim Dunn: "social media doesn't influence what happens in Washington DC"
Wut? It LITERALLY influences everything in Washington DC and every other capital around the world! Politicians campaign on it more than anywhere else, Russian troll farms invaded it a decade ago, bots influence voters and people take sides on their phones, never changing their minds over how they'll vote. Politicians live their whole lives on social media these days.
This might just - and it's a long list this week - be the dumbest thing you've posted on the Interwebs, Dim.
social media creates noise, not rationality.
Of course you and others want to believe that what you or others say in social media changes the world but it doesn't.
social media AT TIMES reflects reality but more often than not it is an ATTEMPT by one side to yell loud and often enough to convince everyone they are right.
Airlines are not and will not cut capacity based on social media noise. Sure, there...
social media creates noise, not rationality.
Of course you and others want to believe that what you or others say in social media changes the world but it doesn't.
social media AT TIMES reflects reality but more often than not it is an ATTEMPT by one side to yell loud and often enough to convince everyone they are right.
Airlines are not and will not cut capacity based on social media noise. Sure, there will be some people that convince themselves that someone's policies are so bad for the world and against what they believe that they will do something in protest - and we MIGHT be seeing some impact from social media.
Trump is trying to restate the economic arrangement between the US and the rest of the world and that involves dollars (US or CAD), Euros, yens etc.
When Trump convinces Canada to stop adding a surcharge to electricity that is exported to the US, it costs money to someone in Canada. that has to be made up somehow. when France and the UK realized that they were going to have to spend alot more for defense, something they have not done for years, money will have to be moved from one place to another. And that is happening throughout the world.
As much as you want to believe this is all a foot stomping exercise of protest about US policies, it is all very rational and explainable.
Economists were saying for years that the US was on the verge of a recession post covid - before Trump was even elected.
Trump has taken a huge amount of wealth out of American's pockets via a poor performing stock market. Even wealthy people do not have the money to spend they once did.
Even though Trump wants a weaker dollar, it has largely not weakened. Manufacturing is far more valuable to the balance of trade than services and esp. air transportation. Trump and alot of people want high quality jobs in the US - not service jobs that involve selling cheaply produced stuff at discount stores. Americans have been fed that they are better off w/ cheap foreign goods for decades and the gap between the rich and not rich is getting wider in the US as a result.
You are free to stomp your feet thinking you make a difference. You don't and won't.
Economics drive what happens and the changes that are taking place in global economies are being driven by a desire to reshape the way America works w/ the world economically.
and whether you like or agree w/ him or not, the majority of Americans agreed in early November and that is why Trump was elected.
Economics is always the single issue that shapes elections more than anything else in democracies.
@Tim Dunn
Way off on this one. Vance, Trump, and their stooges are all of the "Terminally Online" ilk. These people live on their phones and take viral disinfo as fact. We definitely didn't hallucinate Vance claiming that Haitians in Springfield OH were eating people's pets. Nor did we hallucinate him saying on national TV that he made it up, but it was fine because it "drew attention to the suffering of the American...
@Tim Dunn
Way off on this one. Vance, Trump, and their stooges are all of the "Terminally Online" ilk. These people live on their phones and take viral disinfo as fact. We definitely didn't hallucinate Vance claiming that Haitians in Springfield OH were eating people's pets. Nor did we hallucinate him saying on national TV that he made it up, but it was fine because it "drew attention to the suffering of the American people". These aren't rational people, their information is only as good as the people advising them and the media they consume, and they've shown time and again that they hire the worst people and consume the most batshit insane media they can find. You are defending the indefensible.
Re: Economics, we weren't closed to a recession. Biden dodged it by pouring government money into infrastructure projects and private companies, keeping people employed and working. The numbers don't lie, we recovered better than any other G7 country following COVID. We had full employment, the bottom half saw their real wages (read: adjusted for inflation) increase, and record high stock market performance prior to Trump trashing everything with his trade war fixation.
You're also wrong on Euro defense spending, the Baltics, Finland, France, and the UK are all over 2% GDP spending on defense. Poland is approaching 4%. Italy, Spain, Sweden, and Germany (especially Germany) are the real slouches. Meanwhile US defense spending has been DECLINING since 2008, with spikes under Biden but Trump is CONTINUING the downward trend because there's no way he can get the government budget reduced without doing so.
And why do you weirdos want to bring back sweatshops, subsistence farming, and coal mining as major US industries? Were you abused as a child and just want the next generations to suffer the same crap you did? We have record high employment and much of our economy is actual high quality jobs they don't physically destroy the people working them. The single biggest sectors by employee numbers in the US is education and healthcare, followed by tech/consulting and the "service" jobs you decried, followed by MANUFACTURING. Manufacturing is the 4th largest employer in our economy.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/200143/employment-in-selected-us-industries/
I agree that Economics is a big issue, but not in the sense you claim. Nobody cares about import/export deficits, they care that their burrito taxi is expensive because the economy is at full employment. Nobody cares that Canada has quota tariffs on milk, they care that eggs are locally stupid expensive because bird flu wiped out another 100 million egg hens.
You try to argue that I am wrong and then use exactly the arguments that I made to make your point -incorrectly.
Yes, people only care about what they pay for the stuff they want – and yet also complain that they can’t make ends meet. The US has been in a huge and widening gap between the haves and have nots post covid. A very large portion of Americans are just barely getting
You try to argue that I am wrong and then use exactly the arguments that I made to make your point -incorrectly.
Yes, people only care about what they pay for the stuff they want – and yet also complain that they can’t make ends meet. The US has been in a huge and widening gap between the haves and have nots post covid. A very large portion of Americans are just barely getting
Of course, average consumers only care about themselves – but balance of trade matters and the US has had a significant trade deficit driven by goods for quite some time. Someone does have to think about and address it and, if you don’t understand why it matters, then you need to push back from the keyboard to learn.
It is no surprise that the US spends more per capita on healthcare and education than most developed countries and has some of the worst outcomes. It is beyond stupid to continue the same policies that have been used under multiple administrations of both parties.
Of course, parts of Europe are spending above 2%... but the baseline is for the US to be out of having to defend a continent that is as wealthy as the US and is still dealing w/ ethnic conflicts that don’t apply in the western hemisphere.
And of course Trump and Vance use social media – for the same reason – to influence opinion but that doesn’t make anything they say more right than anyone else who uses social media.
As much as you and others want to believe otherwise, it is about economics and who is having to spend money on what.
All of the nonsense about Europeans being imprisoned in the US are ridiculous reasons that no one in reality buys.
There has been a huge amount of wealth that has evaporated in the US stock market and more is being shifted – which requires changes in spending by countries and consumers.
You and Ben and a whole lot of other people want to believe that your foot stomping will change anything – but it won’t. People and countries are rational w/ their money and right now there is a lot of economic uncertainty.
Arguing that foot stomping is what is driving changes in demand while ignoring genuine economic drivers is the epitome of ignorance and bias.
and uncle ronnie is the one that couldn't put two cogent sentences together without chatgpt. It is no surprise that he rails against someone that actually can articulate cogent thoughts.
Spoken like a true MAGAt. You don't seem to understand that you argued macro-econ concerns drove the election, when it was actually micro concerns (trade deficits famously do not cause expensive burrito taxis btw, full employment was that culprit) that caused public opinion to swing against Harris.
Please explain in your own words why it's bad for us to import more than we export. Currency after all is fungible, meaning we can exchange it...
Spoken like a true MAGAt. You don't seem to understand that you argued macro-econ concerns drove the election, when it was actually micro concerns (trade deficits famously do not cause expensive burrito taxis btw, full employment was that culprit) that caused public opinion to swing against Harris.
Please explain in your own words why it's bad for us to import more than we export. Currency after all is fungible, meaning we can exchange it for goods and services. So why is it so important for us to export milk to Canada, or cars to Mexico? It's not like our milk industry is suffering because it can't access a market 10% the size of the domestic one, and our car industry's woes are self-inflicted. Next you'll also tell me we should be growing our chocolate and coffee industry because we import far more of that than we export (for good reason lmao).
And while European defense spending has been low, I'd argue most of Europe is capable of defending itself, Germany obviously excluded at this point. Fortunately for Germany, they have Poland and France to rely on. Nor has all our military budget gone to defending Europe, and the right-wing claims that Europe is freeloading off us is generally untrue. Most of our money goes to our air force and navy, which have global utility and global commitments. We as a nation decided to become the guarantor of free trade and democracies around the world post-WWII, so it's a bit late to be whining that other countries aren't "doing their share". Trump is actively trying to destroy the international system we spent billions of dollars and millions of lives building, and Zelensky was correct when he told Trump and Vance that they'd feel the pain to if Russia is allowed to take Ukraine. A multipolar world with China/Russia as co-hegemons is not a good place for western democracies.
Lastly, public opinion absolutely can determine political outcomes. People won't like the price hikes that tariffs cause. People won't like Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security getting cut. People won't like the VA getting gutted, or their neighbors getting picked up in ICE raids. That all translates into political pressure on Rs, who have spent every day since the election reminding us that they have a "mandate" to push through Trump's agenda. They've owned this, and made sure the voters know it.
As an aside, stop freaking claiming there's "economic uncertainty" like it's a tornado and just happens when it happens. There is a singular cause to "economic certainty" this time around, and its name is Donald J Trump.
ChatGPT bot. Yawn.
"ChatGPT bot. Yawn"
This was directed at Tim Dunny and not Dusty.
Ben, stick to aviation, you don't need political anti trump baiting artcles
This thread is about travel, not politics.
Hardcore Trump supporters are snowflakes and are easily baited by facts they don't like. It would be difficult to entirely avoid reporting facts that trigger Trumpists.
Geez, i can see you're still sore from the election results. I hope it gets better, but we have four more long years to come, enjoy!
I think other reasons also contribute to the current travel situation in North America. Ultra-high inflation over the past five years has made everything more expensive, including hotels, cruises, rental cars, etc. When combined with less capacity due to airline financial struggles and sluggish capacity rebound after the COVID lockdowns, this has priced many people out of the market.
One of the strong points is the currency exchange rates for the USD in countries...
I think other reasons also contribute to the current travel situation in North America. Ultra-high inflation over the past five years has made everything more expensive, including hotels, cruises, rental cars, etc. When combined with less capacity due to airline financial struggles and sluggish capacity rebound after the COVID lockdowns, this has priced many people out of the market.
One of the strong points is the currency exchange rates for the USD in countries like Japan and even Europe to some degree. This makes travel and shopping in other countries cheaper for people from the US but...makes the US more expensive for foreign visitors.
I think the current political situation will temporarily make the economy more challenging and may force us deeper into a recession but the rebound should be robust if the government can get spending and inflation under control.
That is some wishful thinking. Inflation was pretty high in Europe too, but the travel industry is still booming - just look at fares and hotel rates in Europe. The demand for travel is still there, it's just being shifted to safer countries.
I'm a UK resident and I've visited the USA 60+ times in my life. My trips (both business and leisure) have never been influenced by whoever's in the White House, and the occasional travel bans issued to certain countries don't affect me. On entry to the US, Immigration can feel a little intimidating, but I've always found them to be polite and respectful. TDS is clearly alive and well, and all over the world too,...
I'm a UK resident and I've visited the USA 60+ times in my life. My trips (both business and leisure) have never been influenced by whoever's in the White House, and the occasional travel bans issued to certain countries don't affect me. On entry to the US, Immigration can feel a little intimidating, but I've always found them to be polite and respectful. TDS is clearly alive and well, and all over the world too, but I honestly think the vast majority of travellers have no views either way. The USA is a terrific country for a tourist, people are mostly friendly and welcoming, and I don't see that changing.
Trump and TDS are like something out of a Tim Robinson sketch. Blunder on into to someone's house, make a mess, and when people get upset with you, claim that they have a "derangement syndrome" and act like a victim.
"For example, starting in February 2025, we saw a sharp decline in the number of visitors from Canada to the United States, both by air and by car."
Ben, when you write an article literally title "how much will tourism decline," you should list the actual stats that exist as these apparently do. How sharp is sharp?
also, cite sources. it's not like Ben is making this data up, so he should substantiate claims like this.
Ben almost never uses data. for anything.
that is the way he is and anyone reading or participating in his discussions should know it.
YOU can and SHOULD bring facts and data to the discussion and when you do, you will win.
Hey, Tim. If you dislike Ben's writing so much, why live on the comments section here?
nowhere did I say I dislike Ben's writing. I said I UNDERSTAND the way he writes.
It is clear that you desperately want to have the microphone all to yourself so can't possibly read or interpret what is written accurately
This post by Ben is not political per se. I’m Canadian and the reality is the strong US dollar and the strong anti-American sentiment means refraining from the USA is here to stay. I have many Trump friendly friends in Canada as well as anti-Trump ones and they are United in boycotting or abstaining. This really could have been all avoided if The President stuck with reciprocal tariffs and not treated Canada worse than China.
Nah, he hit China with tariffs too. And Canada has long been rather protectionist economically adding select fees/tariffs to US products while the reverse wasn't done. Frankly, I think it's in vogue for Canadians to whine and claim that they're boycotting the US because Orange Man Bad, when the fact that their economy sucks and their dollar is worth like $0.68 have a lot more to do with it.
Where it comes to Canada/US situation, I've noticed airlines are proactively cutting frequencies to American destination little by little, whereas Mexico and Caribbean get a boost.
I sense small American communities by the Canadian border are going to be hurt quite considerably. Duty-free stores have much less foot traffic on both sides. There is a considerable weakness in the Canadian dollar. In addition, Canadian customs are collecting additional 25% duties on US-made products brought...
Where it comes to Canada/US situation, I've noticed airlines are proactively cutting frequencies to American destination little by little, whereas Mexico and Caribbean get a boost.
I sense small American communities by the Canadian border are going to be hurt quite considerably. Duty-free stores have much less foot traffic on both sides. There is a considerable weakness in the Canadian dollar. In addition, Canadian customs are collecting additional 25% duties on US-made products brought back to Canada, in case their value exceeds the personal exemption. Since there's none for trips up to 24 hours, that is going to kill effectively all the day-trip traffic down the border to fill on gas, groceries, clothing, etc.
People around me frown upon travelling to the US for leisure nowadays, unless the existing arrangements are non-refundable.
However, it is to be seen how long it's going to last. If Canadian dollar remains on the weaker side, then the transborder trips will continue decreasing in numbers.
On the other hand, I expect Mexico to be a huge beneficiary, seeing Canadian tourists even more than before
This was a lot of words to say nothing.
I wish Ben would leave politics out of the site. While I might not agree with Trump - I didn’t agree with open borders - if we truly believed in open borders why did we keep immigration inspection flying into USA - didn’t see any posts about that. Approaches by Biden and trump have flaws - either be intellectually honest or don’t post railing against one side.
A reduction in US in bound travel isn’t “travel related?” I know logic seems to be in short supply these days but this pretty basic stuff.
It would be fine if there were not a string of anti trump posts once again I actually don’t care who is president as nothing really changes all that much in the grand scheme of things - it’s amazing how hard people come down on anyone who voted for trump (ps didn’t vote - vote doesn’t matter in my state it votes the same way every election) - I just think slamming anyone who voted either way is wrong
From December 6, 2024 to March 23, 2025, only 10.9% (87 articles) of OMAAT's articles touched on politics (all of those were directly related to travel). 89.1% (713 articles) had no political content whatsoever. Based on my reading, politics is only referenced when it is an essential element of a travel trend or story. A fair reading of Ben's work would indicate that he almost goes out of his way not to mention it. It...
From December 6, 2024 to March 23, 2025, only 10.9% (87 articles) of OMAAT's articles touched on politics (all of those were directly related to travel). 89.1% (713 articles) had no political content whatsoever. Based on my reading, politics is only referenced when it is an essential element of a travel trend or story. A fair reading of Ben's work would indicate that he almost goes out of his way not to mention it. It would be silly and impractical to expect him to never reference anything to do with politics at all, as travel is an inherently political act.
As for facts, Trump implemented more restrictive travel policies, including the multi-country "travel ban," stricter vetting procedures, and historically low refugee caps. Biden reversed most of Trump's nationality-based restrictions while focusing primarily on temporary COVID health measures such as vaccine requirements for international travelers.
Tell me you voted for Trump (and are embarrassed now) without telling me you voted for Trump.
doesn't matter who he voted for.
social media doesn't influence what happens in Washington DC. You do manage to put more money in Ben's pocket. This article managed to generate the upper end of his range of comments - page views were likely high.
and half of the people still don't grasp that it IS about economics whether they want to accept it or not.
What a sad little life you live, "Tim Dunn"
At least TD has something positive to add to the comments page. Trolling is so droll don’t you know Sonny Jim.
Incorrect. Tim Dunn does not have something positive to add. He merely brings a Thrasymachus-level of sophistry and delights in his rigidity and riling other people up.
Tim, for someone who claims 'it's all about economics,' you seem remarkably eager to comment on every political post while insisting politics doesn't matter. Your comment history reads like a weathervane that always points to whatever justifies your pre-existing views. And ironically, by being the most prolific commenter on these 'political' posts, you're the one driving up Ben's engagement metrics the most.
Tel me you voted for Giggles and are still butthurt.
John, Biden never had an open borders policy. America hasn't had an open borders policy in decades.
Funny I just got back from Hawaii and it was chock full of Canadians. Most people could care less about politics.
Incorrect.
I'll take the current stats showing significant drops and cancellations, growing every week as non cancellable trips, develop like a swell. Especially in comparison to a MAGA mouth breather who met two Canadian guys in a bar in Hawaii and decided he has the goods to the truth.
you will believe what you want to believe.
show us the change in travel patterns when the hysteria wears off.
it will get cold in Canada next winter. Guaranteed. really cold.
Tim, you really are slow on the uptake! Next winter will certainly be cold, and Canada has no shortage of warm places to visit. They can even travel to Cuba!
Expensive, overpriced, poor value, newly emboldened upperty border control/ immigration officials, high risk of being shot/murdered.
Just a few reasons why the US is permanently off my list to visit or even transit.
Glad I got my fill in the golden years prior to 2016.
Sadly, you are correct.
I have many relatives in Canada and most are saying they will not visit the US anymore due to Trump’s attack on what was its closest ally. One in Florida for 6 weeks said it was because she had prepaid and will reconsider next winter.
I live in a very nice 55+ waterfront community in Florida and most of my wonderful Canadian neighbors have placed their homes for sale and will not return.
I can't blame them.
I would not return either. So sad.
Everything trump touches, dies.
I hope they’re wealthy, for no one can afford the home owners insurance any more. I see why they’re leaving Florida.
As DenB indicated earlier, I also know of so many Canadians who have cancelled their trips to the USA. That includes me and three of my closest friends. I also know of a couple who have cancelled all six of their regularly planned visits to the USA. It's high time the Republican Party wakes up and realizes that you've poked the bear; Polar, Grizzly, Black and Brown! It's so sad to see Canadians and Europeans...
As DenB indicated earlier, I also know of so many Canadians who have cancelled their trips to the USA. That includes me and three of my closest friends. I also know of a couple who have cancelled all six of their regularly planned visits to the USA. It's high time the Republican Party wakes up and realizes that you've poked the bear; Polar, Grizzly, Black and Brown! It's so sad to see Canadians and Europeans now referring to the "ugly American" - and it isn't the American people - it's Trump. Already according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Canada-U.S. border crossings fell to pandemic-era levels, decreasing from 2.7 million in February, 2024 to 2.2 million in February, 2025. That's 500,000 less!
If it's true that Americans' international travel patterns won't change how will this effect loads and prices. If US incoming flights are cut then aren't there less planes available for outgoing flights... or do they deadhead back.
Crazy amount of politicised comments.
My 2 cents. International inbound tourism will decline. Will it bankrupt the tourism industry? Probably not.
International tourism will decline for sure as Canadians and others choose to boycott the states, but probably more realistically because the Trump administrations policies tend to favour stronger USD and thus trips to the US become more expensive. As USD becomes stronger we'll see domestic tourism decline as Americans choose to go abroad...
Crazy amount of politicised comments.
My 2 cents. International inbound tourism will decline. Will it bankrupt the tourism industry? Probably not.
International tourism will decline for sure as Canadians and others choose to boycott the states, but probably more realistically because the Trump administrations policies tend to favour stronger USD and thus trips to the US become more expensive. As USD becomes stronger we'll see domestic tourism decline as Americans choose to go abroad for cheaper and international visitors decline as the US becomes even more expensive. We've already seen reduced capacity from airlines on Canada to US routes.
What's I think this post is missing is the regional perspective. Speaking about the US as a whole there are different stories. The New York Times published an article about the decline of Canadian travellers to NYC, where they are 2nd behind the Brits and something like 50m visits of 60m a year are done by American tourists. I doubt NYC will take a huge hit, but northern towns in Michigan, Montana, Washington etc will likely take a substantial hit. They already have.
I also wonder what corporate planners would choose to have events in the US given the climate right now. I wonder if global conferences will be moved to more vistor friendly countries. My company already said that the international conference we do yearly won't happen in the US as it does every year, with a European destination being more likely. Just an anecdote, but I wonder if these types of conferences will be moved. Id imagine most conference centres are catering to US clients and domestic tourism still, so whatever hit would probably be minimal.
Mika's assessment understates the problem. The tourism decline isn't primarily currency-driven - Tourism Economics specifically cites Trump's policies as the cause. The impact extends beyond just northern border towns to major destinations like Florida. Airlines are already reporting significant drops in business travel and domestic demand. A projected 13.9% shift in demand would substantially impact the industry, where even 2-3% changes affect airline profitability. With tourism representing nearly 3% of US GDP and employing 16...
Mika's assessment understates the problem. The tourism decline isn't primarily currency-driven - Tourism Economics specifically cites Trump's policies as the cause. The impact extends beyond just northern border towns to major destinations like Florida. Airlines are already reporting significant drops in business travel and domestic demand. A projected 13.9% shift in demand would substantially impact the industry, where even 2-3% changes affect airline profitability. With tourism representing nearly 3% of US GDP and employing 16 million Americans, this is no minor economic hit. Their conference anecdote aligns with the trend, but the data points to a more systemic decline than they acknowledge.
Trump is on record as wanting a weaker dollar (he may also have said the opposite at some point)
His election has brought the USD down - even against the Canadian it is now at its lowest level for 5 years.
It rose sharply during the 6 months from July 2020 which made USA expensive for visitors.
How related to US elections is not entirely clear, but a strong USD is not what is driving changes at the moment.
Scrub the last three lines - I had the graph the wrong way round.
Who would want to be in America right now?? Americans that are able are leaving in record numbers. Trump is starting wars with all our allies and civil wars within it's borders.
I'd leave if I could.
Me too. Working on getting my Irish passport.
Do you know that Trump won the popular vote? And he has high approval ratings even today? Keep watching CNN, and for those who want to leave, safe travels
Winning the popular vote isn't a flex when it is understood how many eligible voters did not vote.
Lowest approval ratings of any president. Ever.
Won a bare majority of voters - not even the majority of Americans.
But MAGA has never been interested in facts, let alone science, so.......
This blog has become garbage with the non sensical political posts. Just stick with actual travel related content and not radical politics.
Disagree on substance and characterization. This is very travel related, measured and fair.
1) This is travel related.
2) If you don't like it, you can scroll past to the trip reviews.
100% correct jailin
Bet you wouldn't feel this way if Lucky's politics aligned with yours!
100% agree.
Absolutely travel related. Not political either - stating facts: Many Canadians are choosing not to come here to the United States due to the current administration's actions.
The Woke Commie Dems have destroyed the great cities in this country like Phil, SF, CHI, NY, LA…etc..and people are fleeing blue states by the hundreds of thousands but Trump is the problem. Your brainwashed.
The TDS by Ben is sad to witness. Glad Frequent Miler doesn’t post this crap.
JeffP is incorrect. Seems like he can't handle reading facts that call his world view into question.
There is nothing resembling "Trump Derangement Syndrome" in Ben's piece. He's presented documented tourism data and industry forecasts from reputable sources.
The 23% decline in Canadian visitors, travel warnings from Germany and the UK, airlines cutting schedules, and Delta's reduced guidance are measurable facts, not political opinions.
Ben also appropriately acknowledges uncertainties while focusing on business implications for...
JeffP is incorrect. Seems like he can't handle reading facts that call his world view into question.
There is nothing resembling "Trump Derangement Syndrome" in Ben's piece. He's presented documented tourism data and industry forecasts from reputable sources.
The 23% decline in Canadian visitors, travel warnings from Germany and the UK, airlines cutting schedules, and Delta's reduced guidance are measurable facts, not political opinions.
Ben also appropriately acknowledges uncertainties while focusing on business implications for the travel sector.
Understanding these economic effects on tourism seems valuable regardless of one's political stance.
Not only is this travel related, like others have said, but if you want more proof, there was a report a week or so ago that Air Canada is reducing flights to the U.S. because of lower demand and cancellations. And if you were paying attention, Canadians aren't giving up on international travel; they are just going to countries other than the U.S.
You may not realize it (yet), but this will have a snowball...
Not only is this travel related, like others have said, but if you want more proof, there was a report a week or so ago that Air Canada is reducing flights to the U.S. because of lower demand and cancellations. And if you were paying attention, Canadians aren't giving up on international travel; they are just going to countries other than the U.S.
You may not realize it (yet), but this will have a snowball effect as the year goes on. With U.S. consumer confidence decreasing, there will be less leisure traveling. That will affect air travel, train (Amtrak), the hotel industry and sight seeing in major tourist areas.
Believe me, this conversation WILL continue throughout the year (and most likely, next year).
You're a guest. Feel free to leave at any time.
In other economic news, Korean Aur finalized $25 billion in Boeing aircraft purchases. They aren’t going to be left out
Left out of what? Endless delays and groundings of new aircraft? #AmericanGreatnessIsOver
If you're looking for somewhere to spend your pounds, euros, and Canadian dollars, consider Australia. Yes, it's a long trip, and the airfares are more expensive than to the USA, but our dollar is very weak at the moment and you'll get a lot of bang for your buck.
I'd rather go to Australia than America and I live in America.
Go. Fewer road repairs for us. You still have to send in your taxes
At least I won't be a sad little person living their lives sh!tposting on blogs like you, Tim.
and yet you can't argue that I am wrong.
If you leave the US, you still pay US taxes unless you go through the process to renounce your US citizenship - and you have to get citizenship somewhere else. Not every other country is handing it out like candy
You must *file* tax returns. Most people likely won't have to pay taxes. Engage your brain, Tim.
LOL Tim red state type don't give two twaddles about public works and infrastructure and you know it
Australia has way stricter immigration policies and tougher immigration officers than the USA (even under Trump). I flew there once as an American and was questioned because of my "unusual routing" (I had made multiple stops because that was the only premium cabin award space available in peak season). And I know an Australian whose father was fined hundreds of A$ flying into his own country because he had mud on his shoes and it...
Australia has way stricter immigration policies and tougher immigration officers than the USA (even under Trump). I flew there once as an American and was questioned because of my "unusual routing" (I had made multiple stops because that was the only premium cabin award space available in peak season). And I know an Australian whose father was fined hundreds of A$ flying into his own country because he had mud on his shoes and it was considered an "agricultural import," not joking.
I just returned from a five-week trip to Australia. We had a fantastic time, and the USD versus AUD was certainly a factor. As an American, I love the Aussies—we have so much in common. Without trying to be political, watching Australian News Shows and their reporting of the happenings in the US was quite interesting and less panic-inducing than what I watch here in the States. The distance really helps.
As an Australian, I would not encourage Americans to visit. They may notice a cooler reception than in the past, and positively frigid for flag wavin' loud-mouthed Republicans.
Most of us are more attuned to what is happening to America than Americans are, so make what you will of that.
Good lookin out glenn t. Durn shame tho. Trump making it hard for Americans at home and abroad.
Make America Great Again? There's nothing great about boasting, loosing one's cool over the tiniest criticism, threatening your friends and encouraging your enemies.
Glenn T,
American who worked in the travel sector, that’s not true…you made the statement for political purposes.
No I don’t like that guy…
But Aussies are ALWAYS welcoming. Remember the “Spirit of Australia”?…it’s alive and well.
As an Australian and a Melburnian, I must disagree.
Tourism will decline zero, next topic
Ben triggering the MAGAs to drive engagement again.
It doesn't take intent to trigger the MAGAts. In fact, it takes more effort to not trigger them.
I'm an American.
I love my country.
If I were from Europe, there's not a snowball's chance in hell I'd visit America under Trump.
Yes we love America but Trump is a dictator and openly loves all our dictator run enemies (Russia, North Korea, Turkey & Saudi Arabia). He is actively destroying and weakening our government and weaponizing it against democracy and freedom.
Right on the mark, but you forgot Hungary. Trump is big buddies with Orban there.
I'm European and I'll be visiting the US with great pleasure in just over a month.
I love that Scott Kirby from United paid protection money to the current administration by donating to his inauguration, and then his airline immediately ate shite afterward. No good deed goes unpunished.
the thing about protection money that none of these dipshit CEOs understand is that they're not buying a durable good, they're signing up for a subscription
If the woke do not want to visit, then that is a good thing. It shows who our true allies are. Simple as that.
The Russians are coming.
This statement of Hank's represents an embrace of a policy of economic self-harm to pursue ideological purity, particularly striking given the razor-thin electoral margins that reveal a deeply divided nation rather than any clear mandate against cultural progressivism.
Don't make foolhardy decisions for anyone other than yourself.
Allies? What allies? It's not about being woke, your imbecile president has alienated America's allies by putting tariffs on Canada, Mexico, Europe and others. As a result, tourists from those countries are being patriotic (I know you conservatives love that word) and choosing to spend their tourist dollars elsewhere.
The days of the USA taxpayers being the world’s piggy bank are hopefully over. The corruption found by DOGE is staggering. Hopefully we can have a balanced budget in a couple years and reduce our Federal debt.
That is far more important than a few whiners from Canada and Europe.
And yeah… I am tired of illegals all over my city.
Also … the travel market had softened long before Trump began the tariffs.
The people from other countries that only like the US for the free money and grift they could get are self identifying--thanks.
Elon Musk's companies have collectively received billions in government funding, making him one of the largest beneficiaries of taxpayer dollars while he criticizes others' reliance on government programs. From 2010-2023, SpaceX was awarded approximately $15-18 billion in government contracts. Tesla also received a $465 million Department of Energy loan in 2010 (repaid early in 2013), various state incentives for factory construction (Nevada offered approximately $1.3 billion for the Gigafactory), and additional subsidies through solar incentives...
Elon Musk's companies have collectively received billions in government funding, making him one of the largest beneficiaries of taxpayer dollars while he criticizes others' reliance on government programs. From 2010-2023, SpaceX was awarded approximately $15-18 billion in government contracts. Tesla also received a $465 million Department of Energy loan in 2010 (repaid early in 2013), various state incentives for factory construction (Nevada offered approximately $1.3 billion for the Gigafactory), and additional subsidies through solar incentives via SolarCity/Tesla Energy. His criticism of the "Parasite Class" comes after building his fortune with significant government support.
Multiple fact-checkers report DOGE found no evidence of "staggering corruption" despite DOGE's claims. Budget experts confirm that modest savings ($2 billion, not $115 billion) make balancing the budget "in a couple years" mathematically impossible. Also, tourism data shows a decline in tourism is directly linked to recent policy changes, with Canadian visits already down 23% since the tariffs began.
If brevity is the soul of wit, then Udo's comment is the wittiest comment of all.
Compare DOGE's claimed savings to the $500 billion revenue decline it's likely to cause by its gift to tax cheats. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/03/22/irs-tax-revenue-loss-federal-budget/
Preach!
always entertaining how often bigots vice-signal their way into shooting themselves in the dick and then throw a temper tantrum when everyone else points out that they've just shot themselves in the dick
amen to that
I live in Europe, I've been to the US maybe a dozen times over the years—for work, conferences and vacations. I've always had a good time, I have lots of friends and colleagues there, travel and immigration have always been smooth.
This year, I was planning on spending some hard-earned miles for a trip to Chicago with my wife, for whom this would be the very first visit to the US. I almost can't believe...
I live in Europe, I've been to the US maybe a dozen times over the years—for work, conferences and vacations. I've always had a good time, I have lots of friends and colleagues there, travel and immigration have always been smooth.
This year, I was planning on spending some hard-earned miles for a trip to Chicago with my wife, for whom this would be the very first visit to the US. I almost can't believe I'm saying this, but we're reconsidering. Given the number of recent stories about denied and detained travelers, it's starting to sound worse than China, and I'm not sure I want to take any chances with a first-time visitor.
I wouldn't advise you to come, frankly. Toronto and Montreal are good North America alternatives. Toronto has Kensington Market, Little Italy, Greektown, multiple Chinatowns, the iconic CN Tower and proximity to the free side of Niagara Falls. Montreal has architecture, history and food culture.
America over the last month has effectively been jailing Europeans at the border, with no phones or access to a lawyer and for an indefinite time. All for no real reason whatsoever.
Who wants to take this Banana Republic risk for ... tourism? Plenty of more beautiful and friendlier places around the world to travel to!
The ability of America to shoot itself on the foot is remarkable, especially given the fact that voters say they wanted a stronger economy instead.
America jailing Europeans at the border, really? Let me guess, you watched this on CNN or you made it up yourself?
It may have been the Canadians who first objected (perhaps she didn't have an ETA), but it was America which put her in jail:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjd3prze9yjo
You obviously haven't been paying attention to recent events then.
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/03/20/french-researcher-denied-entry-to-us-for-expressing-personal-opinion-on-trump-policies_6739346_4.html
I'm American and have been abroad for many years. Definitely will not return for the next 4y at least. When your leader actively tells people we are not your friends and don't want you here, what do you expect people to do besides not visit? Plus the value proposition in the us is really terrible. Crazy prices, a tip culture for everything from laundromats to flower shops, and mediocre food quality does not help.
Usually travel to the US multiple times a year, even made it worthwhile going through the hassle of getting Global Entry. I wont be back whilst Trump is president, and have arranged to meet American friends / family in other countries going forward.
Anecdotal of course, but I know a number of others doing the same.
Anyone want to retract anything? I'm good. But if I'd typed this I might want to reconsider:
"The US and Canada have the world's longest peaceful border and one of the largest visitor flows and that will not change - but will be impacted by the economics of travel, not politics."
will not change? the whole discussion here is about how much it will decline, not whether it will/won't. It's already documented that in the...
Anyone want to retract anything? I'm good. But if I'd typed this I might want to reconsider:
"The US and Canada have the world's longest peaceful border and one of the largest visitor flows and that will not change - but will be impacted by the economics of travel, not politics."
will not change? the whole discussion here is about how much it will decline, not whether it will/won't. It's already documented that in the last month southbound crossings over the 49th have declined by hundreds of thousands, year over year. it's actual data in the public domain, it's not "the debate". the recent change in crossings is unprecedented and it's entirely a response to behaviour coming out of the White House. It's kinda hard to look at it and say "don't bring politics into this, it's just economics".
nope... I don't want to retract anything.
First, do you remember where you were 4 years ago to this day? You weren't running around the world or if you were, it came to a crashing halt very shortly after that.
The US-Canada border closed for all but a very few exceptions. There is a precedent.
The world does not like instability but they are driven by economics more than anything else. Even China won't...
nope... I don't want to retract anything.
First, do you remember where you were 4 years ago to this day? You weren't running around the world or if you were, it came to a crashing halt very shortly after that.
The US-Canada border closed for all but a very few exceptions. There is a precedent.
The world does not like instability but they are driven by economics more than anything else. Even China won't put its communism before economics.
Get back w/ us when there is real data on how much the US-Canada border actually closes and visits decline. Social media noise and reactions to tariff threats won't move the US-Canada relationship. Economics will
and if you want to talk about politics, you do realize that it was Trudeau and his economy minister that were the casualty of the interactions w/ Trump. Trump didn't boot Trudeau out. Canadians did and they will act in their self-interests just as Americans will.
and if you really want to know what is at stake, read the Wall Street Journal and their article "The Biggest Auto Losers in Trump’s Trade War So Far: Luxury Brands" and you will see that it involves BMW, Audi and Volvo who make cars in Mexico and China that do not meet US content requirements.
The US and Canadian auto industry is completely intertwined and integrated. They will figure it out.
Trump wants more jobs for Americans and global trade will work if it is balanced in the US' eyes.
that is largely the case between the US and Canada and Mexico but the sheer size of the borders and the relationships makes it necessary to get the things that don't work right first w/ those two countries.
take a deep breath. Cancel your vacation in the US and go to Mexico instead. The US still will get your travel info as you overfly the US just as US flights to Europe have to send travel data to Canada.
Tim Dunn completely misses the point. We already have real data showing a 23% year-over-year decline in Canadian visits to the US in February, not "social media noise." And comparing pandemic border closures (a mutual health response) to Canadians boycotting the US over threats of invasion and tariffs is absurd.
His argument that "economics, not politics" drives travel ignores that political decisions directly create economic consequences. Trump's tariff threats aren't theoretical - they're active policy...
Tim Dunn completely misses the point. We already have real data showing a 23% year-over-year decline in Canadian visits to the US in February, not "social media noise." And comparing pandemic border closures (a mutual health response) to Canadians boycotting the US over threats of invasion and tariffs is absurd.
His argument that "economics, not politics" drives travel ignores that political decisions directly create economic consequences. Trump's tariff threats aren't theoretical - they're active policy choices affecting real economic relationships and shifting Canada's entire political landscape, with Trudeau explicitly warning Trump wants "a total collapse of the Canadian economy."
The cherry on top? Claiming Trudeau's resignation somehow proves Trump's approach is working, when the BBC reports Trudeau's approval rating actually climbed 12 points since December, and the Liberals have surged 10 points in the polls specifically in response to Trump's threats. Canadian politics has fundamentally shifted around defending against Trump, not embracing his approach. The data is clear: this isn't about BMW luxury cars - it's about a serious diplomatic and economic rupture with our closest ally.
Ben got the page clicks and views he wanted by dabbling into politics under the guise of what matters to aviation.
The real issue - which some can't grasp - is that Trump is determined to remake the global economic structure which he believes is not as good as it should be for Americans.
It isn't a surprise that some Canadians and Europeans are upset at the prospect of spending more of their own money...
Ben got the page clicks and views he wanted by dabbling into politics under the guise of what matters to aviation.
The real issue - which some can't grasp - is that Trump is determined to remake the global economic structure which he believes is not as good as it should be for Americans.
It isn't a surprise that some Canadians and Europeans are upset at the prospect of spending more of their own money for defense when the US has provided large parts of that for decades, esp. Europe.
Add in that Trump believes that the world order is on the verge of being rearranged to the detriment of the west and he is enacting policies that ditch the "let's just all get along" mindset - and there are and will be economic consequences, including to tourism.
The US dollar is strong and it has hurt inbound tourism. Trump wants a weaker dollar to help US exports but Jerome Powell is not willing to lower the Federal funds rate - so Trump is threatening tariffs (and it is still large threats for most goods and countries) to rebalance US trade.
the US trade deficit is actually a deficit for goods but a surplus for services, driven by technology exports. Transportation is a service but is much smaller than technology and entertainment which are large US exports.
A strong dollar makes travel for US originating passengers stronger; the issue comes down to the regions where US outbound is the strongest - and that is most heavily Europe.
Asian economies not only drive bigger trade deficits but also have airlines with lower labor costs. And it isn't Asian economies that are threatening to embargo travel to the US - it is western European and Canadians where the labor gap is driven more by currency than standard of living.
Understanding the economic drivers - and not political statements - regardless of who makes them - will lead to figuring out how to navigate the current situation rather than demonize someone that is acting in their own interests (in this case the US President on behalf of his country) of which economics is the greatest factor- something we all do including Germany, Canada and every other country.
Teeny tiny problem with all that: the premises are wrong and it won't work.
It's true that one can construct a complete complex argument (do you have bar graphs too?) that will persuade many. And it'll be great comfort to those who blindly support this President, or who just want to own the libs. But it doesn't actually work, economically. Because Canada hasn't in fact, been ripping off the USA. And because it won't be...
Teeny tiny problem with all that: the premises are wrong and it won't work.
It's true that one can construct a complete complex argument (do you have bar graphs too?) that will persuade many. And it'll be great comfort to those who blindly support this President, or who just want to own the libs. But it doesn't actually work, economically. Because Canada hasn't in fact, been ripping off the USA. And because it won't be short term discomfort leading to a glorious prosperous longer term result. The attacks on Canada are a bad idea for American interests, in the short term, the medium term and the long term. The fact that they will damage Canada much more than they will damage the USA, is only a "feature" to blind loyalists. To everyone else, the damage is a bug.
Gosh...spot on! Finally some reasonable perspective here!
I would add its even the personal local economy and value across the world versus America.
Canadians still want to move to America due to higher salary and overall standard of living (yes...i said that!). The unaffordability index in Canada is just much higher due to lower overall salaries there. Im a classic example of the brain drain...and it will continue.
Domestic travel in Canada is...
Gosh...spot on! Finally some reasonable perspective here!
I would add its even the personal local economy and value across the world versus America.
Canadians still want to move to America due to higher salary and overall standard of living (yes...i said that!). The unaffordability index in Canada is just much higher due to lower overall salaries there. Im a classic example of the brain drain...and it will continue.
Domestic travel in Canada is very expensive versus america so you will have some shift....
Change to the status quo will upset many...just like you said...Europe will have to put thier own fatigues on and protect themselves a little bit more....same with Canada. Hence the outrage....
China just executed 4 Canadians and imposed 100 percent tariffs on Canada...yet no outrage on china and canceled trips there.....yet trump is worse????
and the German stock market is outperforming the US' YTD because Germany might be forced to spend a whole lot more on defense than they have.
Trump is rearranging the economic order - or trying to do so - in a way that he thinks will better benefit the US.
Let's see how it turns out but Americans are tired of paying the military costs for countries that are as wealthy as the US and...
and the German stock market is outperforming the US' YTD because Germany might be forced to spend a whole lot more on defense than they have.
Trump is rearranging the economic order - or trying to do so - in a way that he thinks will better benefit the US.
Let's see how it turns out but Americans are tired of paying the military costs for countries that are as wealthy as the US and are tired of paying the costs of immigration for those that can't pay for their integration into the US economy.
While Tim correctly notes the surge in German defense stocks, this isn't Germany being "forced" into spending. Germany making a strategic pivot toward military self-sufficiency through constitutional changes allows for massive defense investment, which yes, has had a recent beneficial effect on the German stock market.
This isn't validation of Trump's approach – European nations are increasing defense spending precisely because they no longer trust American security guarantees. The short-term market gains mask a...
While Tim correctly notes the surge in German defense stocks, this isn't Germany being "forced" into spending. Germany making a strategic pivot toward military self-sufficiency through constitutional changes allows for massive defense investment, which yes, has had a recent beneficial effect on the German stock market.
This isn't validation of Trump's approach – European nations are increasing defense spending precisely because they no longer trust American security guarantees. The short-term market gains mask a potentially significant loss of American influence as European allies build capacity to operate independently.
Rather than benefiting America, these developments may ultimately reduce US leverage in European affairs as allies prepare for a future with less American involvement.
Tim Dunn's claims contain several factual inaccuracies and misleading statements:
1. Far from "dabbling in politics," Ben's article addresses a documented tourism decline with real economic implications for the travel industry—entirely appropriate for a travel blog.
2. The claim that declining tourism is primarily due to the strong dollar is contradicted by the data. Tourism Economics specifically revised projections from an 8.8% increase to a 5.1% decline due to Trump's policies, not currency fluctuations.
Tim Dunn's claims contain several factual inaccuracies and misleading statements:
1. Far from "dabbling in politics," Ben's article addresses a documented tourism decline with real economic implications for the travel industry—entirely appropriate for a travel blog.
2. The claim that declining tourism is primarily due to the strong dollar is contradicted by the data. Tourism Economics specifically revised projections from an 8.8% increase to a 5.1% decline due to Trump's policies, not currency fluctuations.
3. The assertion that Europeans are merely upset about defense spending misses the documented reasons for travel declines: concerns about detention of foreign visitors, tariff wars, and political tensions.
4. The document evidence shows Canadian tourism already dropped 23% year-over-year in February—a direct response to tariff threats, not currency issues.
5. Germany's increased defense spending isn't coming at America's request but as preparation for potential US disengagement, with Merz specifically citing concerns about Trump's approach to NATO.
6. Trump's own inauguration actions included numerous steps that damaged international relations, from threatening Panama, Greenland (and by extension Denmark) and Canada with invasion. Also withdrawing from international agreements.
The tourism decline is driven by specific policy choices that have deteriorated international relationships, not merely economic factors or currency values.
Game set match, vs one trick Delta pony Timmy Dee!
I am always amazed when people question Ben's integrity when he publishes OMAAT stories, implying that he does it for "the page clicks and views." I read a lot of blogs and have followed this one for quite a while. It's evident to me that Ben writes OMAAT because of his love of travel and his unique insight into how he accomplishes that travel. His making a living at it is secondary and a blessing....
I am always amazed when people question Ben's integrity when he publishes OMAAT stories, implying that he does it for "the page clicks and views." I read a lot of blogs and have followed this one for quite a while. It's evident to me that Ben writes OMAAT because of his love of travel and his unique insight into how he accomplishes that travel. His making a living at it is secondary and a blessing. I'm guessing that folks who question his motivation probably do so because they themselves are guilty of the transgressions for which they accuse Ben.
IMHO
From an engagement standpoint, this article is a banger. Articles with the most engagement in 2025, ranked:
1. Politics affecting travel
2. Airline executive statements
3. Loyalty program devaluations
4. Aviation incidents
5. Cultural travel experiences
6. Identity issues in travel
7. Service cuts at major airlines
8. Travel gear debates
9. Premium travel critiques
10. Visa and entry requirement changes
Because everyone loves a good FAFO story...
Speaking to Canadian travel to the USA, the currency exchange rate is a factor but this has been the case for some time. The Cdn to US exchange rate, in percentage terms, has not changed dramatically in the last year. The policies and rhetoric of the American Prime Minister, Mr. Trump, are deeply concerning and have discouraged many Canadians from taking their usual trips to the US. States with clusters of Canadian travellers historically, Florida...
Speaking to Canadian travel to the USA, the currency exchange rate is a factor but this has been the case for some time. The Cdn to US exchange rate, in percentage terms, has not changed dramatically in the last year. The policies and rhetoric of the American Prime Minister, Mr. Trump, are deeply concerning and have discouraged many Canadians from taking their usual trips to the US. States with clusters of Canadian travellers historically, Florida and Arizona come to mind, will experience negative economic consequences. Looking at tourism from the US to the rest of the world, there are two factors that I believe will lead to a decline in numbers for 2025/26. First, the upcoming recession. Second, the halo effect of your deeply unpopular Prime Minister may lead to some uncomfortable exchanges between American travellers and the local population. This will discourage Americans to venture outside of the safe confines of the USA. Of course, many of those American travellers involved in the unpleasant conversations with the locals will have either converted to Democrats for the duration of their trip or wear Canadian flags on their backpacks.
If America were the 11th Province, he'd actually be a mere premier, which is pronounced PREE myur, not premiere. Prime Minister is a bit above this guy's capabilities, non?
OK now I'm actually just trolling. And I don't even know why
Oui
first, you need only look at the USD vs CAD exchange rate to see that it has gotten worse over the past five years - and it is heavily driven by negative economic movement in Canada relative to the US.
Since Canada is politically more liberal than the US, the chances that the US red team would succeed to integrate Canada if they wanted to would lead to failure.
The US wants a better...
first, you need only look at the USD vs CAD exchange rate to see that it has gotten worse over the past five years - and it is heavily driven by negative economic movement in Canada relative to the US.
Since Canada is politically more liberal than the US, the chances that the US red team would succeed to integrate Canada if they wanted to would lead to failure.
The US wants a better economic relationship w/ Canada and Mexico. When major companies like those in the auto industry that are highly dependent on the current open arrangement become as at risk as they are now, there will be changes and they will be faster than alot of people want to admit.
First off .... America has a president...not prime minister (or at least until Trump actually joins the Commonwealth).
The decline in Canadians have been happening for a while to the USA due to the CAD being 1.45 per USD. The Trump thing gave them an excuse to stop and look elsewhere. Fair enough.
Given my travels...i get more intrigue than disgust....in fact as per usual the media doesnt capture the local day to...
First off .... America has a president...not prime minister (or at least until Trump actually joins the Commonwealth).
The decline in Canadians have been happening for a while to the USA due to the CAD being 1.45 per USD. The Trump thing gave them an excuse to stop and look elsewhere. Fair enough.
Given my travels...i get more intrigue than disgust....in fact as per usual the media doesnt capture the local day to day and living in america. Given the news...youd think we all are cowering in fear....we are not....we are enjoying life etc.
Just like the media here plays like London is a third world country by Fox News...it isnt...its vibrant and fun.
I feel safer outside of the USA than in it...but thats just a public safety issue we have been grappling with over the pandemic years. Its getting better though.
The value in tourism in the USA is declining so theres that....i even agree we need to get our costs under control ... hawaii is just terrible for nickel and diming and high prices versus value . Mainland USA is getting terrible too.
Not to argue over semantics, but both German and UK officials have stressed that these are not travel "warnings" but updated advice I think travel "Warnings" typically are a level above simply warning citizens they need to follow the rules or face the consequences. The German foreign office site states travelers should only enter the country with a valid ESTA or visa that corresponds to the intended purpose of the stay. A criminal record in...
Not to argue over semantics, but both German and UK officials have stressed that these are not travel "warnings" but updated advice I think travel "Warnings" typically are a level above simply warning citizens they need to follow the rules or face the consequences. The German foreign office site states travelers should only enter the country with a valid ESTA or visa that corresponds to the intended purpose of the stay. A criminal record in the United States, false information about the purpose of the stay or even a slight overstay during travel can lead to arrest, deportation detention and deportation upon entry or exit. The UK updated its information to tell citizens to comply with all entry, visa and other conditions of entry, and that the authorities in the U.S. set and enforce entry rules strictly and you may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules.
Two of the three cases I saw in the media were resolved, and appear to be violations of these rules, thus the updated travel advice. I think the third case in Boston is still being investigated by the German Foreign office.
These items have been specified as disqualifying for those applying for ESTAs for some time (if not always). Obviously there is now stricter enforcement of existing laws. For what its worth, I think the US has always been a little over the top on immigration rules for visitors, depending on the politics of the day. Wasn't that long ago the US enforced strict COVID vaccine entry requirements many months and even years after most other countries did away with them.
Germany has not issued a travel warning for trips to USA.
They have updated their travel advice page, that is a completely different thing.
Seeing "Trump Derangement Syndrome" (TDS) in comments. Fascinating, not in itself (it is a rather mundane rhetorical device), but for the role it plays in the cultural identity alignment, information asymmetry and status concerns of Trump voters.
Trump commands great loyalty despite policies harming his base: 18-20% rely on Medicaid/ACA, 12-15% receive SNAP, 20-22% get government assistance, and 25-28% live in counties dependent on social services. Rural supporters (63%) face postal cuts and hospital closures....
Seeing "Trump Derangement Syndrome" (TDS) in comments. Fascinating, not in itself (it is a rather mundane rhetorical device), but for the role it plays in the cultural identity alignment, information asymmetry and status concerns of Trump voters.
Trump commands great loyalty despite policies harming his base: 18-20% rely on Medicaid/ACA, 12-15% receive SNAP, 20-22% get government assistance, and 25-28% live in counties dependent on social services. Rural supporters (63%) face postal cuts and hospital closures. Federal workforce cuts hit 10-12% of his voters' households, education cuts threaten districts backing him 56%, and Social Security privatization affects 35% of his older supporters.
This loyalty stems from cultural identity alignment, information asymmetry, and status concerns. Trump offers certainty in change, invokes an idealized past, labels contradicting sources "fake news," plays on demographic fears, and scapegoats outgroups for complex problems.
What historical movements used similar tactics while serving elite interests?
Spot on.
Last round he got the public to distrust the legacy sources... the sources myself and my devout Catholic/Republican parents relied on for my entire youth.
This time he's aiming at eroding trust of the judiciary when they challenge the constitutionality of his EOs.
Yet, for all that, I'm among the 73% of voters who disapprove of the Dems, because their only real value these days is that they operate within the confines of our 3 branches.
It's hard out here for folks like us, JoePro.
@ History Doesn't Repeat, But It Often Rhymes
"What historical movements used similar tactics while serving elite interests?"
I can think of one in Germany between 1933 to 1945.
Just a general comment - tourism is about 10% of global GDP, and 3% of US GDP as you pointed out - but it makes up a much bigger percent of GDP for some cities and states. Many mayors and state governors recognize the important of tourism, but it always baffles me how national governments and general citizens don't recognize the economic impact of tourism. Trump's border actions and the Canada stuff is of course...
Just a general comment - tourism is about 10% of global GDP, and 3% of US GDP as you pointed out - but it makes up a much bigger percent of GDP for some cities and states. Many mayors and state governors recognize the important of tourism, but it always baffles me how national governments and general citizens don't recognize the economic impact of tourism. Trump's border actions and the Canada stuff is of course stupid and actively pushing away tourism, but even the Obama and Biden administrations didn't do enough to promote international tourism to the US IMO. The US had been losing share of international tourism for decades.
Right, but how much of that tourism GDP is from international tourism? Like in other huge countries like China, Brazil, or Russia, the overwhelming majority of US tourism is domestic.
Western Europeans represent 37% of international tourists in the USA, I don't know a single person who hasn't dropped their plan to visit. I give it a month before airlines reduce capacity to the USA. Maybe Asia and South America will care less.
I also don't think most Americans measure our shock in Europe towards the complete US shift from a respected democracy and ally to what now looks like a dictatorship / oligarchy
Good points. I was in Paris on inauguration day. When people found out I was an American, they treated me like a person who'd just suffered through the death of a parent. No animus, just profound sadness and compassion.
Lufthansa is already cutting frequencies on some less popular routes, I imagine others will follow soon.
"the complete US shift from a respected democracy and ally to what now looks like a dictatorship / oligarchy"
This is the brain rot that mass media has inflicted on the European brain. I am ashamed to call myself a European these days.
Woohoo!! This is great news! Now I can visit our beautiful national parks without throngs of tourists covering the trails like ants on candy. Buh-bye!!
Don’t rejoice too soon. With the weakening dollar, more Americans will travel domestically instead of internationally. So, the parks and other destinations will be filled with poorly behaving Americans.
The dollar isnt weaking much.....
All the MAGA mouth breathers not realizing their parks may not be staffed when they go to visit. Better not break your leg “Brian”, might be waiting a while for an airlift.
Bring your own toilet paper as well.
Expect more closures with the 1000 rangers laid off.
There it is…blinding American exceptionalism on full display. Except there is a problem….parks employee staffing has been severely cut and funding to maintain our natural wonders is at great risk….and this does not even begin to address the real issue with your narrow view of the world: America has turned its back before on serving as a global leader in the dark decade leading up to WW2. And, that did not turn out very well,...
There it is…blinding American exceptionalism on full display. Except there is a problem….parks employee staffing has been severely cut and funding to maintain our natural wonders is at great risk….and this does not even begin to address the real issue with your narrow view of the world: America has turned its back before on serving as a global leader in the dark decade leading up to WW2. And, that did not turn out very well, now did it? And yet the tired old tropes are being dragged out again. Global travel is the lifeblood of understanding our place in the world. Anything that takes away from that serves to push us apart and leads to instability and marginalization of anyone perceived to be “other” (and I am looking at you MAGA world using culture war weaponization to strike up fear and enragement toward tiny minorities like the trans community).
It's also limiting my family's ability to travel where we want. My wife holds a green card and is totally legal and documented, but with stories about green card and legal visa holders even someone with a green card and from Canada is afraid to travel abroad, fearing she may get detained and may not get back in. We have canceled our trip to the Caribbean and she has cancelled international work trips as well....
It's also limiting my family's ability to travel where we want. My wife holds a green card and is totally legal and documented, but with stories about green card and legal visa holders even someone with a green card and from Canada is afraid to travel abroad, fearing she may get detained and may not get back in. We have canceled our trip to the Caribbean and she has cancelled international work trips as well. She probably would be ok, but the problem is that there is no longer predictability based on written laws and policies change every day. There is no a risk to traveling abroad that did not exist before.
I think your fears are just that....fears rather than reality.
Remember hundreds of thousands of people are still going through the border every day.....to no detriment.
Data backs up there is not increased numbers of detainments....yet its the media going full outrage because of politics.....last year none of this would have been in the media....gage if its media or reality.
I will continue to travel....and see the world....more award space for me then.
Less demand = less flights = less award space. Really don't understand economics, a travel deficit is bad for Americans too
You Trumpers ain't welcome in the UK
hard to argue the affirmative case for why anyone should travel when the national parks don’t have rangers and the FAA doesn’t have air traffic controllers because of that orange idiot
Still can’t find OMAAT articles on Biden’s immigrant charter flights or special TSA lines for non-US citizens without a passport. Articles can stick to the facts but what you pick to publish speaks volumes. Any lost tourism dollars will likely be recouped by shutting down whacky taxpayer funded illegal immigrant support, including hotels/food/medical.
#MAGAMath - just like cutting the IRS by half will totally pay off in increased tax enforcement and more revenue, yeahhhh!!!
I've noticed this a lot from MAGA fans - a confusion of government and private (business) finances. No - tourism dollars lost will not be "recouped" by reducing alleged taxpayer expenditures on immigrant support. Tourism dollars lost impacts businesses that have nothing to do with any of that - there is a story about an inn across the Canadian border in Maine that has lost 80% of its bookings. That inn won't be able to...
I've noticed this a lot from MAGA fans - a confusion of government and private (business) finances. No - tourism dollars lost will not be "recouped" by reducing alleged taxpayer expenditures on immigrant support. Tourism dollars lost impacts businesses that have nothing to do with any of that - there is a story about an inn across the Canadian border in Maine that has lost 80% of its bookings. That inn won't be able to hire workers. No amount of taxpayer "savings" (which won't materialize) will be able to get business back to that hotel. Same for the hotel, airline, restaurant and other revenues lost across the country this summer as Americans flock to Europe again while Europeans and others avoid our country.
Good point, Anthony. Similar to the math that tariffs paid by American importers with corresponding price hikes to American consumers is a tax on foreign countries.
By the same logic, when my parents give me my allowance, I'm actually paying them - right?
One thing that isn't being discussed here is that the US is just mind-bogglingly expensive for a European visitor. Hotels are crazy. Dining is crazy. Currency isn't a help, but it's much beyond that. $500 per night in the US or Europe is not comparable.
Whatever the politics, I just think that it's very hard to justify a US vacation.
You nailed it. It's the lowest value equation nation on earth. Overpriced. Lousy Service. Horrid product. Nothing interesting. Our only great destinations -The National Parks - being gutted. Risk of deportation and random imprisonment, angry citizens, and more and more armed with automatic weapons. Unless you enjoy watching the fall of Rome choose anywhere else. Well, maybe not Sudan. But, we are not far from that, just give it time.
Not to mention that everybody in the US is always begging for a tip. Self proclaimed “greatest nation in the world” but can’t pay most of its citizens a decent living income.
I would agree the USA has a value proposition....i live here and im shocked the lack of value for hotels, restaurants etc.
Trump is a distraction on why...but the costs here are astronomical for any tourist related item. Hawaii is just insane.
I like Europe as there is value there for the cost....i can get UK hotels for 150 pounds all in....great hotel....i cant even get a crappy HI express in Modesto on the side...
I would agree the USA has a value proposition....i live here and im shocked the lack of value for hotels, restaurants etc.
Trump is a distraction on why...but the costs here are astronomical for any tourist related item. Hawaii is just insane.
I like Europe as there is value there for the cost....i can get UK hotels for 150 pounds all in....great hotel....i cant even get a crappy HI express in Modesto on the side of the freeway for that....
trump isnt the issue for US tourism...its the strengh of the US dollar and crappy value.....the nickel and diming....the excessive requests for tips.....even living in the USA im done with it too.
Agree on the value prop. Was just talking to my father about this the other day - I delayed my birthday dinner until I'm in Copenhagen because the price to value ratio for restaurants here doesn't work out.
The value proposition is strongest for Canadians, over 90 percent of whom are within driving distance to the US. Even with a strong dollar there's savings to be had on US shopping and going elsewhere for vacation can be more tiresome and expensive considering the flight. As a Canadian European I can say I remember growing up and going on trips to the US all the time even if it was expensive it was close...
The value proposition is strongest for Canadians, over 90 percent of whom are within driving distance to the US. Even with a strong dollar there's savings to be had on US shopping and going elsewhere for vacation can be more tiresome and expensive considering the flight. As a Canadian European I can say I remember growing up and going on trips to the US all the time even if it was expensive it was close enough that we could do an easy weekend trip. I imagine families now will go to the province east or west rather than the state to the south.
I cannot imagine why anyone would want to visit such an awful country.
Oh yeah, so awful. Ugly national parks. Horrible beaches especially Florida, California and Hawaii. Alaska is a dump! Please don’t come here. The liberals will bomb your car if they don’t like the CEO. Bye!! Stay away!
It’s people with attitudes like yours that ruin the reputation of this nation. Grow up x
Gey Mens' Resorts in Palm Springs is one good reason to want to go. I would love to, as I have in the past. But I will not go until the US President stops his assault on my country, America's closest, most loyal friend, ally and biggest customer. I've nothing against Americans, I visited every year until this happened. Even ardent supporters of The President would have denied this was gonna happen, if I had...
Gey Mens' Resorts in Palm Springs is one good reason to want to go. I would love to, as I have in the past. But I will not go until the US President stops his assault on my country, America's closest, most loyal friend, ally and biggest customer. I've nothing against Americans, I visited every year until this happened. Even ardent supporters of The President would have denied this was gonna happen, if I had predicted it 6 months ago. But here we are, and of course they all defend the actions against Canada because, well...
I realize this is anecdotal, but have been pricing tickets to Berlin which have dropped approximately $250 per PAX over the last few weeks for mid-summer travel. Will hold out for a few more weeks to test the waters.
I think we just have to wait until Rupert goes to his reward.
It's not about Trump. The fact is that the USA its to expensive , we used to go to Florida in the winter ( from Europe ) , now we go to Mexico for a lot less...
@bako, I have noted that in your case it is not about the President. Let me state clearly, though, that in my case it is entirely about the President's actions against my country. I've visited USA many times when exchange rates were bad against my Canadian Dollar, when this President was in the White House, when other factors were disadvantageous. But that was before the betrayal, by The President (not his supporters, most of whom...
@bako, I have noted that in your case it is not about the President. Let me state clearly, though, that in my case it is entirely about the President's actions against my country. I've visited USA many times when exchange rates were bad against my Canadian Dollar, when this President was in the White House, when other factors were disadvantageous. But that was before the betrayal, by The President (not his supporters, most of whom did not expect this) of my country, the USA's very best friend throughout history and its biggest customer, with whom USA has always had a trade surplus (if energy isn't included). For you, as a European, the issues are different from mine.
I’ve visited USA 5 times in the last 3 years together with my wife. She has an EU passport, but was born in Middle East. NO WAY will we revisit America while this crap is going on. Somewhere else will get our tourist dollars.
Sad but true - multi decade bigot/racist in charge of the country now, those beliefs flow (like piss) downward
The economic impact on travel and hospitality will be a death knell to smaller businesses and restaurants. Domestic discretionary spending will also fall and not be able to fill the gap of foreign visitors. If your thinking hey that's great for prices and availability, think again. Businesses will close making our choices fewer.
Onward! with the WalMartification of the world.
Hey Ben, you have to moderate the comments to ensure they stick to topic. I know it’s a time-consuming pain but the off-topic ranting about politics and personal insults are a real turn-off.
It's good for us to see what people really think. Especially when it's ugly and unnerving. It's even good to see how hopeless it seems. I'd rather know. No cult member likes the word "cult". Supporters of the current White House have a lot of quality ammo to blast "the left" so unfortunately the little boy has less credibility than one would hope, now that there's an actual "Wolf!" alert. Sad to see supporters of...
It's good for us to see what people really think. Especially when it's ugly and unnerving. It's even good to see how hopeless it seems. I'd rather know. No cult member likes the word "cult". Supporters of the current White House have a lot of quality ammo to blast "the left" so unfortunately the little boy has less credibility than one would hope, now that there's an actual "Wolf!" alert. Sad to see supporters of the US President suddenly embracing something they never voted for, or even believed in, until they were suddenly told they should: contempt, suspicion, aggresion towards their country's closest true ally, friend and biggest trading partner (greater then UK, Japan, France, Germany combined). Now they're all lined up to argue that it's OK, that tourism won't go down. Or if it does, it's a good thing. Or if it's a bad thing, it's "worth it". Or if it's not "worth it"...?
Lucky makes some good $$$ from the comments section, why would he want to limit them?
Long term (over a year) no impact. People will travel. Even by June of 2020 planes were packed back and airlines were rushing to get planes and crews back on line. All when according to the same "expert class" millions upon millions would die if we "opened up." BS then, BS now.
And the doubters (aka your MAGA brethren) had a lot more excess deaths. #darwinawards
https://www.npr.org/2023/07/25/1189939229/covid-deaths-democrats-republicans-gap-study
the gap for covid was the BMI.....not political leaning per se. Im not painting a broad stroke...but "R" states generally had higher BMIs...hence the worse outcome (i.e. gulf states for example).
Sweden - not closed at all....one of the best outcomes due to BMI on average being less.
Utah - Republican state...low BMI....low covid deaths.
Lockdowns and NPIs had very little impact on deaths....it was BMI that was predictor of outcomes....sadly we...
the gap for covid was the BMI.....not political leaning per se. Im not painting a broad stroke...but "R" states generally had higher BMIs...hence the worse outcome (i.e. gulf states for example).
Sweden - not closed at all....one of the best outcomes due to BMI on average being less.
Utah - Republican state...low BMI....low covid deaths.
Lockdowns and NPIs had very little impact on deaths....it was BMI that was predictor of outcomes....sadly we dont want to talk about that....
Sweden best outcomes? Twice the fatality rate of Denmark and Norway doesn't seem like one of the best outcomes.
And that fatality rate wasn't accompanied by better economy. They didn't do visibily better than Denmark or Norway.
To say that taking sensible precautions didn't make a difference is contrary to the evidence.
Your commentary is utter nonsense. Planes were only “packed” in 2020 because capacity collapsed. Until the U.S. situation improves, i fully believe that inbound international travel to U.S. will decline sharply…we are transforming into a violent, intolerant and xenophobic country. Words and actions matter . And, oh by the way the death toll in U.S. from Covid exceeded 1M. Perhaps to you the impact was BS because you did not experience the loss of a...
Your commentary is utter nonsense. Planes were only “packed” in 2020 because capacity collapsed. Until the U.S. situation improves, i fully believe that inbound international travel to U.S. will decline sharply…we are transforming into a violent, intolerant and xenophobic country. Words and actions matter . And, oh by the way the death toll in U.S. from Covid exceeded 1M. Perhaps to you the impact was BS because you did not experience the loss of a loved one. Believe me, to those that did the disease was no laughing matter. It is a matter of facts and science, something that the MAGA crowd has warped into their own alternate reality.
LOL George, you're such a silly little troll here and on View comments as well
How much of your life is lived in the comments of other people's accomplishments?
Can’t say I’m really bummed. Domestic trips never really came off those expensive Covid highs so maybe this will bring some of the cost of domestic vacays down a bit.
Travel and hospitality will suffer closures I fear. What survives will leave fewer options.
@MoreSun
Just think how a civil war will make domestic travel even cheaper! Oh, wait.
We recently returned from Bali and flew into ATL from Doha. I used the GE app to put in my picture and my wife's picture to skip the photo machine and go right to the counter. The CBP agent (in my previous experience all very nice and polite in ATL) was weirdly aggressive about the fact that I put both our pictures in my phone rather than separately - even though the app specifically says...
We recently returned from Bali and flew into ATL from Doha. I used the GE app to put in my picture and my wife's picture to skip the photo machine and go right to the counter. The CBP agent (in my previous experience all very nice and polite in ATL) was weirdly aggressive about the fact that I put both our pictures in my phone rather than separately - even though the app specifically says you can put all members of your party in one phone. I tried to explain that and he interrupted me, but then realized I should just apologize and move on as I didn't want to get my GE revoked It struck me as some weird power trip that I wouldn't have seen prior to this year. I may be projecting or it could have just been a guy having a bad day, but I can see not wanting to come here from overseas as a tourist these days if even US citizens/GE holders are being given a harder time than usual.
I am from sweden and my cancelled the summertrip to LAX and Disney etc. I am right now going home from PTY and i was originally routed via US but changed that to ttavel via BOG.
Tesla is not popular and many of my friends and I dont want to spend money on Trump who creates chaos on stockmarket and seems to override judges etc.
Good move. Our Swedish family aren't coming here this year and we're going over there. Sweden is better overall anyway.
Almost off-topic, but I have to share my opinion.
I’m an immigrant working in the travel field. I’m totally disappointed with the new administration — their actions and tone of voice are too similar to what I experienced in my previous country. And the fact that Americans chose this administration makes everything worse.
The comment section is such a relief. I’m happy to see people with a healthy mindset. Thank you, guys.
Discouraging visits to the USA means... Surprise! Less visits to the USA.
Very open and shut case.
The real question is the scale of the decline (outside of Canada), and whether it would plateau out soon, or keep decreasing as the months/years go by.
It would be interesting to see whether fewer tourist visas for non-Europeans are being approved. Alternatively, whether fewer for non-whites are being approved.
It’s not just foreign tourists. We’ve shifted our travel spending, our big summer vacation is now going to Canada in support of them. I’ve also canceled two work conference trips to pro-Trump states (Kentucky and Arizona). I know others who are doing the same.
be honest.
your USD goes further in Canada
save us the political nonsense and talk economics
be honest tim
you're a weird lurker who ought to get a life
save us the banal attempts at sh!t posting
Lmao. Total coincidence Canada is cheaper and that cancelling work conference trips saves companies money.
By your logic, Canadians shouldn't be the biggest visitor cohort in American Tourism. And the decrease in visits shouldn' be suddenly massive, in the last month. The exchange rate change has been modest in the last quarter, but the change in visits is nearly apocalyptic, from the tourism industry's POV. You make a true observation (exchange rate bad) but draw a wrong conclusion because you ignore facts that are relevant.
post the actual number of visits between the US and Canada compared to the USD/CAD exchange rate once it happens, not what people post on social media or threaten to do over water coolers.
The US and Canada have the world's longest peaceful border and one of the largest visitor flows and that will not change - but will be impacted by the economics of travel, not politics.
Actual numbers from US customs and border protection:
Crossing land borders between Canada and US, December 3.5 million, January 2.7 million, February 2.2 Million
People entering the US by plane, January, 2.1 million, February 1.7 Million
Did the economics of travel change that much between December, January and February, Tim? or is Customs and Border Protection just talking over the water cooler?
And this is with people not being willing to...
Actual numbers from US customs and border protection:
Crossing land borders between Canada and US, December 3.5 million, January 2.7 million, February 2.2 Million
People entering the US by plane, January, 2.1 million, February 1.7 Million
Did the economics of travel change that much between December, January and February, Tim? or is Customs and Border Protection just talking over the water cooler?
And this is with people not being willing to cancel trips that they have already booked and paid for.
Same - as a US citizen, I no longer have any interest in visiting any Red states, or even Red regions, of the US. But I will keep traveling internationally. My friends and multi-ethnic family generally feel the same.
My hope is the US economy slides into a deep recession. It deserves one.
How quickly you've forgotten 2008. There's no such thing as a US-only recession.
DenB derides being trolled o this chat, but he is the main troller.
You seem to have forgotten that America was the root cause of the Global Financial Crisis in 2008 with its mortgage backed securities, derivatives, and every other conceivable instrument in the name of money, money, money, because that is all America is about or cares about.
I'm American and hoping so as well. I sold all my investments and moved into cash, including 401K, right before the inauguration knowing this was coming. I'll rebuy in 6-12 months and ride it back up just as I did during COVID. You only get so many opportunities like this (2008, 2020, now).
If the U.S. economy goes into recession, then it will be a global recession in a hurry. Forgot about 2008?
Yes and that one in 2008 was also the result of American greed.
I am a Canadian resident of Toronto with decades of enthusiastic travel to USA. My typical winter includes Palm Springs and other US travel. My typical spend annually on the ground in USA is in the thousands. The day the American President declared unprovoked economic war on my country I cancelled all my 2025 US travel. I will not travel to US destinations until the aggression stops.
I know 5 people, including 3 who are...
I am a Canadian resident of Toronto with decades of enthusiastic travel to USA. My typical winter includes Palm Springs and other US travel. My typical spend annually on the ground in USA is in the thousands. The day the American President declared unprovoked economic war on my country I cancelled all my 2025 US travel. I will not travel to US destinations until the aggression stops.
I know 5 people, including 3 who are right-leaning (consistently vote Conservative in Canada and would likely vote Replublican if they were American) who have made similar decisions, including one couple who usually spend the entire winter in Florida. None of these people cited right-left politics as their reason; all said it was the unprovoked aggression against us, a peaceful productive neighbour and ally. It's not TDS, it's our response to betrayal.
Nothing against Americans or even Trump supporters. Unless you actually support this specific policy, in which case you've betrayed your closest friend and ally and we do have something against you.
America, we love you but you've let us down badly.
Once the winter approaches, ALL OF YOU will go south again. You won't be spending the winter in minus 25 degrees just because Trump is mean.
I don't suggest you're lying, and yet what you say is simply, factually, measurably untrue. Look, I'm not preaching against the administration, or your political choices. But will you tell me honestly, (assuming you support the President generally) is the Canada thing something you already wanted him to do, or did you decide you're OK with it after he started?
There are other choices for good winter weather than the (overpriced) crime filled cesspool that is America.
@Stefan
You seem to have a narrow view of geography. As most of MAGA do. It's not like you cross the border into the U.S. and swaying palm trees welcome you to tropical bliss, lol.
Canadians have more than enough options and an outrageous number of flights to Mexico, Caribbean, and South America. All places with a far better overall value than this cesspool of inbreds.
Portugal
Spain
Antigua
Saint Maarten
Cuba (yes some of us can enjoy their perfect beaches and lovely people)
Fiji
Mexico
Panama
Costa Rica
Barbados
Dominican Republic
Martinique
Granada post invasion
And a few others
Mexico is lovely that time of year.
O yes we will, we’re Canucks, and the cold does not scare us. Elbows up!
Meet your NATO obligations, even if it means you stop with the socialized healthcare. Americans don’t get cheap healthcare, as security and hard decisions are made by the serious countries. Start to be more grateful and appreciative of all that America does for Canada.
I think that’s about right. The number of Canadians with property in Florida who are selling, it’s going to rough. Also Canadians typically spend way more time, especially in places like Florida and Arizona, than your average European or Asian tourist. Anyhow, let Tim wait for data. They will come, and we know how much he loves those data :).
I think that’s about right. The number of Canadians with property in Florida who are selling, it’s going to rough. Also Canadians typically spend way more time, especially in places like Florida and Arizona, than your average European or Asian tourist. Anyhow, let Tim wait for data. They will come, and we know how much he loves those data :).
I live in Las Vegas now after moving here from Minneapolis 6 years ago. I have lots of friends in Palm Springs that I go to visit often. It's just a 3-1/2 hour drive. Have a lot of Canadian friends that I have met when in Palm Springs. But my Palm Springs friends have told me many of our buds from Canada are not coming down this year. I'm not surprised. And in Las Vegas,...
I live in Las Vegas now after moving here from Minneapolis 6 years ago. I have lots of friends in Palm Springs that I go to visit often. It's just a 3-1/2 hour drive. Have a lot of Canadian friends that I have met when in Palm Springs. But my Palm Springs friends have told me many of our buds from Canada are not coming down this year. I'm not surprised. And in Las Vegas, my partner works high end retail on the Strip and his Canadian clients are not coming down this Spring. Makes me sad. And honestly, as an American, I don't know that I want to travel abroad because of how we are treating our international friends. UGH!
I work in the international meetings industry and let’s just say other countries are looking forward to way more business in the next few years. This didn’t have to happen but here we are. Lots of people depend on this industry. I have a client mulling the idea of cancelling a 5000 participant meeting for 2028. These things are planed way in advance, so even if the policies change, it will be too late in some cases.
the strong dollar is far more valuable to foreign manufacturing than tourism is.
THAT is part of the reason for tariffs - whether right or wrong politically but it makes economic sense.
whatever the US loses in German or Canadian tourism - if any - will be more than made up for with cheap wood and BMWs
Tim - I appreciate the depth of knowledge you bring to all things aviation
But if you think the US is headed for cheaper wood and BMWs then you are truly out of your depth
Stick to aviation
A strong dollar does lower the relative cost of Canadian wood and German built BMWs. Not all are. Commodities respond more to currency fluctuations than luxury cars. But you are the one who is naive if you don’t understand global macroeconomic
Got a new BMW last year. Strong USD and all. Still up massively cost wise vs a few years ago.
Stick to Delta schilling TD.
because BMW doesn't build all of its cars in Germany and they will not cut their prices to match the currency.
and the strong dollar is pushing BMW sales up because BMW can't make enough European cars to sell in the US - or they won't increase production only to have it all collapse w/ the dollar at some point.
and the EUR vs USD is not off near as much as with the CAD.
...because BMW doesn't build all of its cars in Germany and they will not cut their prices to match the currency.
and the strong dollar is pushing BMW sales up because BMW can't make enough European cars to sell in the US - or they won't increase production only to have it all collapse w/ the dollar at some point.
and the EUR vs USD is not off near as much as with the CAD.
Europe's economy is actually brighter than it has been but France and the UK are most set to benefit.
Germany sees the likelihood of having to spend much more on defense or watch France and the UK dictate Germany's security future.
if you understand economics, it makes sense.
That may be so. But what about U.S. exports? Now US exports are more expensive vis a vis other countries exports. So your analysis is one sided and, therefore, flawed.
I've only addressed that about a half dozen times.
The US has a large and growing GOODS trade deficit because of the strong dollar.
Tariffs are intended to address that where Trump believes US products are at a disadvantage in other countries.
The strong dollar is dependent on the Fed to lower interest rates but they aren't doing it and they have reasons based on the US doemstic economy.
Do you know what our country's biggest "export" is? It's tourism. International visiotrs spend far more here than we do there. So if international tourism drops, some people in our country will feel the pain, through lost jobs, etc. So how is that productive? We piss off our friends and fewer people come to visit. Who knows how Americans will be treated in other countries. We will know soon.
This all sucks. Your assumption that...
Do you know what our country's biggest "export" is? It's tourism. International visiotrs spend far more here than we do there. So if international tourism drops, some people in our country will feel the pain, through lost jobs, etc. So how is that productive? We piss off our friends and fewer people come to visit. Who knows how Americans will be treated in other countries. We will know soon.
This all sucks. Your assumption that a strong dollar is responsible is not shared by economists. The president's actions have real outcomes. This is one, one probbly that wasn't well thought through.
The USD dropped 5% to the EUR since 20th January, that is not exactly making your imported BMW cheaper. But of course, cheap compared to when the 25% tariff will hit.
first, it's gonna be a long 3 years and 10 months more for Ben who lives in Miami/Dade County which Trump won, the first time a Republican carried that county for years.
Clearly, unhappy that his neighbors have betrayed him, Ben is taking solace with his keyboard and his virtual friends.
It says volumes about how the US fans behaved during the Canadian national anthem in Boston and how the Canadians did during the...
first, it's gonna be a long 3 years and 10 months more for Ben who lives in Miami/Dade County which Trump won, the first time a Republican carried that county for years.
Clearly, unhappy that his neighbors have betrayed him, Ben is taking solace with his keyboard and his virtual friends.
It says volumes about how the US fans behaved during the Canadian national anthem in Boston and how the Canadians did during the US national anthem. It isn't a surprise that people across all spectrums and countries do the same.
As for tourism, maybe it will go down but Trump is a politician and leads his party that isn't interested in seeing itself be relegated to the place that the other party is in right now. Perhaps it is because of the complete disarray of the other team that Trump can do what he believes is in the US' long-term interests. And most of us truly do not have the data to know whether his claims about US interests are true or not but the world is taking notice and things are changing at a speed they haven't in years.
And you have to ask, if tourism to the US really falls who is most vulnerable - and the answer even for the Canadian situation is Air Canada and United which operate a joint venture that siphons US to the globe passengers off of the nonstop flights between the US to Europe, Asia and S. America.
and the big reason why Canada can do that is the same reason why so many Canadians don't want to spend their tourism dollars in the US - the US dollar is so much stronger relative to the Canadian dollar that it has been in decades that a visit to the US is much more costly than ever. From parity between the US to Canadian dollars 15 years ago to a 50% cut in purchasing power now, the US economy and dollar is so much stronger that inbound tourism will be hurt. The same is true for multiple countries in Europe and Asia and Latin America.
Spare the politics if it isn't really the answer and get to the basic point which is that the US dollar is so much stronger than the rest of Europe and that is what drives
How do you know exactly where Ben lives? Tim Dunn, you are Dunn for. Ha ha sooo funny! Get it... done for... Dunn for!!!!
and it is clear that United will be the most negatively impacted. International networks have long been less profitable than domestic networks even on ks stage length adjusted ASM basis for years for US carriers. The last few years have been an exception. US carrier international networks have benefitted.
Outbound US tourism is strong and will continue to benefit as long as the dollar is strong. Inbound US tourism will suffer due to a...
and it is clear that United will be the most negatively impacted. International networks have long been less profitable than domestic networks even on ks stage length adjusted ASM basis for years for US carriers. The last few years have been an exception. US carrier international networks have benefitted.
Outbound US tourism is strong and will continue to benefit as long as the dollar is strong. Inbound US tourism will suffer due to a strong dollar.
United's TPAC network is the most vulnerable to a strong dollar.
add in the higher labor costs that UA will face and 2024 could have been the peak of its earnings not just for the quarter but for a long time.
Nothing about Delta and all the A350s and lower cost basis? 1/10, off topic better next time.
because aircraft costs don't change.
It is UA employees that will decide they are tired of the company benefitting from a soaring stock price while nearly all unionized employees except for pilots are underpaid relative to AA, DL and WN
and UA's TPAC system is more dependent on inbound US tourism. TATL systems are much more focused on outbound US tourism which is why DL is adding more capacity to Europe than UA - but...
because aircraft costs don't change.
It is UA employees that will decide they are tired of the company benefitting from a soaring stock price while nearly all unionized employees except for pilots are underpaid relative to AA, DL and WN
and UA's TPAC system is more dependent on inbound US tourism. TATL systems are much more focused on outbound US tourism which is why DL is adding more capacity to Europe than UA - but so is AA.
Latin America is split. S. America is more inbound to the US while the reverse is true for the Caribbean and northern Latin America
The airlines are a tiny part of the story. Ask 100 Floridians this June, "How was your winter business in 2025 compared to 2024?". Canadians with means can absorb currency fluctuations. They own condos, cars in USA, spend months there. The White House has decided they should be fingerprinted because "why should Canadians be treated different from Chinese or Qataris?"
The woman who shot her own dog is in charge of this stuff. Honestly am...
The airlines are a tiny part of the story. Ask 100 Floridians this June, "How was your winter business in 2025 compared to 2024?". Canadians with means can absorb currency fluctuations. They own condos, cars in USA, spend months there. The White House has decided they should be fingerprinted because "why should Canadians be treated different from Chinese or Qataris?"
The woman who shot her own dog is in charge of this stuff. Honestly am I suffering from TDS or is there, objectively, a deviation from Good Policy here? Even among enthusiastic supporters of The President, isn't it possible they got this one wrong?
To All: I apologize for responding to this absurd troll. I know better now.
Half this country is full on rage with TDS. Shows their maturity levels.
Grow up
@Tim my opinion of you keeps getting lower and lower, which I didn't even know was possible
just debate the facts. I could care less about your opinions and I don't expect you to think anything of mine
The actual expression you want there is "I couldn't care less". As in, "I could not possibly care less". Think about it logically, you'll get there...
Truly sad. Your comments to other articles were so pragmatic in nature. Now I see you are nothing but a Trump apologist and demagogue (look it up)
“Trump is a politician “
That is all one needs to know about your political acumen.
Trump can be and is many things but politician he is not.
Biden was a politician too but badly miscalculated
No party in a democracy can act w disregard to the electorate and remain in power. Not a difficult concept
The irony of Tim Dunn - OMAAT's resident troll - accusing someone else of "taking solace with his keyboard and his virtual friends" is truly next-level self-own material.
A drop in visitor numbers if a feature rather than a bug in many circles.
By comparing this to Trump’s first term in office one can get a better sense of what is going on now with inbound tourism in the U.S.A.
https://www.nbcnews.com/business/travel/tourism-u-s-down-trump-took-office-costing-4-6-n840326
Hopefully a great deal. A French national was deported after CBP checked his phone and found discussions disagreeing with Trump. So who wants to visit a country with a fascist government, prohibiting free speech and criticism of the government?
The tourist was actually caught with confidential and classified data from los alamos national laboratory……
From the New York Times - “The French researcher in question was in possession of confidential information on his electronic device from Los Alamos National Laboratory — in violation of a nondisclosure agreement — something he admitted to taking without permission and attempted to conceal.” The quote comes from Tricia McLaughlin, spokeswoman for the DHS.
They found confidential atomic data taken from the Los Alamos Laboratory. Hardly a political thing.
1. It was an incoming visitor, so why would he arrive with information from the US?
2. He didn't work for the US government but for the French government.
3. There was no charge, so if they found a breach of confidentiality, they would have certainly pressed charged. At the end, no clear reason was given to the french ministry of Education and Research.
4. For all Americans out of there :...
1. It was an incoming visitor, so why would he arrive with information from the US?
2. He didn't work for the US government but for the French government.
3. There was no charge, so if they found a breach of confidentiality, they would have certainly pressed charged. At the end, no clear reason was given to the french ministry of Education and Research.
4. For all Americans out of there : education = the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university.
Nice try. He was deemed to be a spy and should have been charged as such rather than just be deported. 30 years in prison would have been the right remedy.
Stefan is of course too dumb to realize if he had such confidential data, he would have been charged accordingly, vs just being deported quietly
Wtf ? I love reading your articles but this is garbage.
@ Aussie88 -- Can you elaborate? You don't like that I'm discussing the implications of a reduction in inbound travel, when I frequently cover the economics of the travel industry? Or do you disagree with the premise, and think we're not seeing a reduction in travel demand? I've barely expressed any personal opinions in this post...
Ben, some people love Trump, others Harris. Some smart people love neither. I believe he is a Trump supporter and you hinted at some anti-trump things, so now he is angry
I like the bit where Stefan said smart people love neither. Worshiping another person, especially a political leader, is not healthy.
A quick look at the r/buycanadian subreddit will tell you all you need to know about how people feel.
It is outright unsafe to travel to the US. Denied entry is not a huge problem per se but we're seeing increasing number of arbitrary detentions, people being held in inhuman conditions, CBS essentially operating outside any legal system and laws ("you have no rights"), etc. This only impacts a small minority of travellers but since it's so arbitrary and not based on any pragmatic rules, you never know when it's gonna be you. There...
It is outright unsafe to travel to the US. Denied entry is not a huge problem per se but we're seeing increasing number of arbitrary detentions, people being held in inhuman conditions, CBS essentially operating outside any legal system and laws ("you have no rights"), etc. This only impacts a small minority of travellers but since it's so arbitrary and not based on any pragmatic rules, you never know when it's gonna be you. There are dozens of countries on this planet where you don't need to worry about this stuff, because even if you're denied entry for some reason, you will be treated humanly and within the rule of law.
And it's not just tourism. As Trump administration burns bridges left and right, business ties will also decrease, albeit much more slowly, and with it the business travel as well.
With TATL travel being one of the biggest cash cows for European and American airlines, this is not gonna be pretty for them. Especially the BA which basically put all of their chips on TATL.
Most countries have the same “you have not rights at the border” than the USA. Including Canada.
The data indicates no increased number of detainments at the border. Rather it’s the publication of them that is giving the perception of more.
There are some high profile ones like the student visas. But I agree it’s choosing to enforce laws more strictly.
Simply wrong. Actual policy changes, already in effect. Canadians fingerprinted if visiting more than a month. Library in Saguenay no longer allowed to use fron door. Etc etc.
No, most countries definitely don't. Most countries do have the right to deny you without any reason (with the western countries generally being an exception) but they still have to treat you within normal laws, conditions for detention etc. This idea that the rule of law doesn't apply at the border and an immigration officer is an absolutist monarch is a very American concept.
And yes, Canada is also known for having extreme immigration procedures.
If you aren't do illegal stuff you are not gonna be denied/detaned
That's completely untrue. Everyone who's denied entry is detained (how else would it work?) and you don't have to do anything illegal to be denied entry. The difference is that other countries will generally treat you humanly, within the rule of law, and send you back asap, whereas the US will sent you into solitary just because an officer is on a power trip today, and they will keep you there for weeks. There are plenty of documented cases of this.
Many have zero issues with traveling to true autocracies and dictatorships for vacations and fake IG stories, but are bitching about Trump? TDS at its best.
Well, most autocracies operate on strict rules. Not necessarily the published ones, but you can avoid having problems by "falling in line" for the few days you're there. Don't criticise Erdogan and you're pretty safe in Turkey. Don't wear Winnie the Pooh t-shirt in China and you're good. Skip Grindr hookups in Dubai and no one's gonna bother you. You get the idea. This is different from the US where any random officer on a...
Well, most autocracies operate on strict rules. Not necessarily the published ones, but you can avoid having problems by "falling in line" for the few days you're there. Don't criticise Erdogan and you're pretty safe in Turkey. Don't wear Winnie the Pooh t-shirt in China and you're good. Skip Grindr hookups in Dubai and no one's gonna bother you. You get the idea. This is different from the US where any random officer on a power trip throws you in jail because they don't like something and in some cases they even keep you there longer than your planned duration of the trip (which ironically means that being denied entry will make you stay in the US longer than you intended, albeit in some detention facility).
Those countries do detain people randomly and at will. China is notorious for thier citizens to disappear and follow tourists around they deem potentially problematic.
People are being deported from the USA for criticising Trump. His cult does not agree with free speech. A government which closes down a department of education and agrees with book bans, restricting either rights of LGBTQ, is an autocracy. Oh the irony of calling in land of the free. It’s BS.
Yes because they don’t detain foreigners similar to your ICE DHS CBP and whatever the crap you guys have
With the new administration and its strong initiatives for strengthening security I am far more likely to vacation in the US than under Biden.
Strengthening security?
Such as dissolving massive parts of the FBI?
What a fool
I'm Canadian, but most of my family is in the United States. I'm not going to stop visiting the U.S., but I am changing my travel habits. I am more strongly considering alternative travel destinations, but not completely avoiding USA. And I am choosing to spend less money when I do visit (no more shopping trips right before crossing the border coming home). When I go see my family for Passover dinner, I will bring...
I'm Canadian, but most of my family is in the United States. I'm not going to stop visiting the U.S., but I am changing my travel habits. I am more strongly considering alternative travel destinations, but not completely avoiding USA. And I am choosing to spend less money when I do visit (no more shopping trips right before crossing the border coming home). When I go see my family for Passover dinner, I will bring my own groceries from Canada with non-American products.
I also believe that many Canadians are staying away from the USA because the Canadian dollar has gotten very weak in recent months against the U.S. dollar, and not because of Trump. A significant portion of Canadian conservations still support Trump, even though the Canadian population as a whole is largely against him. Meanwhile, the Canadian dollar hasn't dropped against some other currencies. I was in Australia recently and was pleasantly surprised at how strong the Canadian dollar was against the Aussie dollar.
Exactly. I’m Canadian living in America. It’s the dollar.
Also. Careful what food you bring, USDA would have an issue with some stuff.
More left-liberal nonsense from One Whine At A Time.
Piss off, wanker
Ah yes, that's exactly how we know you. Always civilized and appropriate.
Exactly! Go troll somewhere else, Telegram perhaps?
Absolutely inappropriate „comment“
@ Stefan -- Could you elaborate, specifically, on what you think is "left-liberal nonsense?" You disagree with the premise of this post, or just don't like that I'm discussing the topic?
@ Ben --- I think that you are a anti-trump fan, and love "the enemy" aka Harris.
The issue with US tourism.
- strong USD
- declining value in the USA versus the rest of the world. Hawaii ha purely priced themselves out of business. The mainland is following very quickly.
- perceived immigration issues.
To elaborate (coming from a Canadian who is a U.S. resident, green card).
There is just hysteria by everyone on the left about Trump. Here in California many places needing mourning day...
The issue with US tourism.
- strong USD
- declining value in the USA versus the rest of the world. Hawaii ha purely priced themselves out of business. The mainland is following very quickly.
- perceived immigration issues.
To elaborate (coming from a Canadian who is a U.S. resident, green card).
There is just hysteria by everyone on the left about Trump. Here in California many places needing mourning day after the election. Cuz people couldn’t suck up the election and move on. And the landscape of the left is a childish whine and complain about every aspect of any decision Trump makes. I’m not a fan of his tactics and demeanor. But him in the White House doesn’t ruin my day and I go on living to the fullest in my everyday life (I’m gay and I am not worried about “coming after me” rhetoric from the left). I control my life. Not some old guy in the White House. Keep being kind to each other regardless of political leaning and enjoy life. The thing that the democrats miss….life isn’t over cuz trump won.
Also a lot of this can be attributed to media amplification that is intentional to highlight any little issue. Where last year it happened but didn’t get media time. Again. The Trump bluster and outrage created in the media.
After attempting to live comfortably in certain UK cities, one was always relieved when the tourists went home.
The apparent lack of foreign tourists into the US has probably more to do with the weak dollar than any political awareness factor.
Huh? Weak dollar should increase the tourism because it makes US cheaper for visitors.
Just as shocked as I am, some of these comments are definitely Trump bots. A weak dollar always increases tourism!
I think they meant the pound to the dollar.
Trump bots and Tim Dunn
Click bate comments attract those with only one line writing capability. Some of you are awake today.
Thanks for falling into the trap which I set for a couple of the resident trolls.
I saw a Bluesky comment from a German, and US green card holder, who had had their usual smooth immigration experience at IAD but had noted how quiet it was catching a taxi. His driver said that it had been quiet for a couple of weeks or more. That doesn't speak to tourism alone, there is a Washington factor with federal government cuts, but it does speak to a possible lessening of demand in the...
I saw a Bluesky comment from a German, and US green card holder, who had had their usual smooth immigration experience at IAD but had noted how quiet it was catching a taxi. His driver said that it had been quiet for a couple of weeks or more. That doesn't speak to tourism alone, there is a Washington factor with federal government cuts, but it does speak to a possible lessening of demand in the travel and accommodation sectors.
I'm travelling to the US shortly and haven't seen much reduction in hotel charges where I'll be.
If I were a nonwhite foreign visitor, I would 100% pick another country to visit. Simply not safe for you here. Go where you aren’t targeted.
Sad that the US has evolved to this, but an overwhelming 49.8% of Americans voted for a totalitarian grifter so here we are
The totalitarian grifter and vegetable-in-chief was voted out. Trump is your President now!
And you’re still a low education / even less information cuck
Totalitarian = relating to a system of government that is centralized and dictatorial and requires complete subservience to the state.
Weird that you call Biden "totalitarian" while it is Trump that is acting totalitarian with the greatest number of presidential decrees signed, some of which controversially close to being illegal decisions. Isn't it so that those who oppose him, are casted out? We've seen this story in Europe many times over in the 20th century...
...Totalitarian = relating to a system of government that is centralized and dictatorial and requires complete subservience to the state.
Weird that you call Biden "totalitarian" while it is Trump that is acting totalitarian with the greatest number of presidential decrees signed, some of which controversially close to being illegal decisions. Isn't it so that those who oppose him, are casted out? We've seen this story in Europe many times over in the 20th century...
[Sorry, mistakenly replied to the wrong past earlier]
The vast majority of Trump supporters never step foot outside of US, and more importantly, the vast majority of foreign visitors never visit the places they live in. In other words, they don't really care. We have two Americas.
Totalitarian = relating to a system of government that is centralized and dictatorial and requires complete subservience to the state.
Weird that you call Biden "totalitarian" while it is Trump that is acting totalitarian with the greatest number of presidential decrees signed, some of which controversially close to being illegal decisions. Isn't it so that those who oppose him, are casted out? We've seen this story in Europe many times over in the 20th century...
The vast majority of Trump supporters never leave their trailer park
I would take an issue to trump supporters dont leave america. remember...trump got 77M to 74M for harris......
Sure...fly over country voted for him....but a lot of the independants did too....
The people that refuse to say who they are voting for simply because they want to avoid this mob of people criticizing "how can you vote for trump" attitude.
I cant stand Trump...but this hatred for anything conservative also needs balance. I can...
I would take an issue to trump supporters dont leave america. remember...trump got 77M to 74M for harris......
Sure...fly over country voted for him....but a lot of the independants did too....
The people that refuse to say who they are voting for simply because they want to avoid this mob of people criticizing "how can you vote for trump" attitude.
I cant stand Trump...but this hatred for anything conservative also needs balance. I can respect peoples religious rights....i may have issue with the teaching due to my personal beliefs...but i will respect that view and engage civilly....thats what the democrats lost...civility and it resulted in the election loss....
Canadians are dropping US holidays significantly. I normally fly back to Toronto from Sydney via LAX & and do a few days there but it's QF to YVR for the rest of this crazy administration for me. I cannot imagine the Europeans are terribly enthusiastic about leisure travel in the US right now either.
As a Canadian I really enjoyed visiting the US. Been there probably 80 times and always do my share to contribute to the local economy in a meaningful way.
I've cancelled all my travel plans to the US and will be spending my money on Europe and Mexico instead.
I don't speak for all Canadians, not by a long shot, but everyone I know is doing the same.
its a shame, there...
As a Canadian I really enjoyed visiting the US. Been there probably 80 times and always do my share to contribute to the local economy in a meaningful way.
I've cancelled all my travel plans to the US and will be spending my money on Europe and Mexico instead.
I don't speak for all Canadians, not by a long shot, but everyone I know is doing the same.
its a shame, there are so many Americans I admire, but what's going on is unAmerican, and smells of fascism.
No. Thank you.
We’re Australian, and over the last 20 years have travelled extensively throughout the USA as a country we have loved to visit . (We have also travelled through Europe,Asia and Canada several times but kept returning to the USA as we love the American National
Parks) In 2023 we were so happy to reach our milestone trip to Alaska and our 50th state . This year we had booked a 5 week trip in...
We’re Australian, and over the last 20 years have travelled extensively throughout the USA as a country we have loved to visit . (We have also travelled through Europe,Asia and Canada several times but kept returning to the USA as we love the American National
Parks) In 2023 we were so happy to reach our milestone trip to Alaska and our 50th state . This year we had booked a 5 week trip in the Southwest, to visit several National Parks. Last week we cancelled the whole trip. We are so sad about what is happening in a country that we have loved to visit but we just don’t feel comfortable or even safe about visiting the USA at present . We’re concerned that the cuts to funding to the parks will make a significant and detrimental effect for those who wish to visit . We’ve spoken to so many people about this , friends with family in USA and others who have enjoyed travel there… they ALL say the same thing… don’t go to the USA now , go somewhere else. Australian visitors to the USA are minimal compared to Canada and Europe but it’s just part of a trend . We hope to come back some day. If things ever return to normal . Good luck to you.
I've been to the US about 50 times in the last 10 years, flying from my home country the Netherlands.. These were many business trips but also holidays with the family. I've had two family holidays planned (and with my wife and one with the whole family), which I cancelled last week. I've also told my employer that I won't fly to the US anymore, after a already planned conference in Vegas.
I'm not...
I've been to the US about 50 times in the last 10 years, flying from my home country the Netherlands.. These were many business trips but also holidays with the family. I've had two family holidays planned (and with my wife and one with the whole family), which I cancelled last week. I've also told my employer that I won't fly to the US anymore, after a already planned conference in Vegas.
I'm not alone. Friends have cancelled holidays and I know a couple of business acquaintances that will skip the fore mentioned conference in Vegas as they don't want to travel to the US anymore.
So yes, I do think it will have a big impact.
I live in Belgium and I never felt unsafe in the US as a tourist . I can't speak the same for Amsterdam or any other big city in Netherlands . Don't get me wrong I don't fell safe neither in my own country anymore...
I, a European, planned on going to the US, but I'm unsure now. Not based on Trump himself. It's your president, your choice. The cities and parks won't change one bit because of him or his policies.
The thing is, I don't want to risk being detained without reason upon entering the country, like those Germans, French and Brits have been. There is no way to be sure that won't happen to me, even...
I, a European, planned on going to the US, but I'm unsure now. Not based on Trump himself. It's your president, your choice. The cities and parks won't change one bit because of him or his policies.
The thing is, I don't want to risk being detained without reason upon entering the country, like those Germans, French and Brits have been. There is no way to be sure that won't happen to me, even though I pose no threat to the country, have no intention of staying there, or whatever other reason there could be. So I do understand tourism will be affected.
The park experiences will change due to the thousands of Park Service employees fired. Fck Elon.
I live adjacent to a national forest. Ranger staffing in my area has been gutted. And, there's a proposal to sell off park facilities for commercial development.
Visit, don't visit. Whatever. Your loss. Out of 97 countries visited, likely 80% have governments/leaders that are problematic for me. If I based my decision on a current leader, I'd never go anywhere.
A big piece of the story is missing here. dozens (and probably more - those are only the stories that made the news) of European tourists to the US have been incorrectly and illegally detained for weeks on end, denied contact with their embassies or loved ones, and in some cases deported. Thus, the now multiplying travel warnings by European states, and thus mass cancellations. Who would want to take that kind of risk? I...
A big piece of the story is missing here. dozens (and probably more - those are only the stories that made the news) of European tourists to the US have been incorrectly and illegally detained for weeks on end, denied contact with their embassies or loved ones, and in some cases deported. Thus, the now multiplying travel warnings by European states, and thus mass cancellations. Who would want to take that kind of risk? I don’t like Xi Jin Ping’s regime, but you won’t get detained, held for an indeterminate amount of time and deported. That’s the difference. It’s a terrible loss for our industry.
How would you know their backstory and whether the detainment was "incorrect and illegal"? Nobody is being detained unless something in their records isn't correct and there is a prior or current violation.
Are you working at immigration somehow? I guess not. So you better keep quiet.
That’s not true at all. People have been sent to El Salvador with zero criminal history here or at home. The SS (CBP) is back.
It doesn’t matter how many countries you’ve visited; your logic is flawed.
The declining numbers aren’t due to the sheer existence of a certain leader but enforcement of their policies that make consumers feel their well being and safety could be at risk while on a holiday.
Again, whatever.
Exactly! The only ones making noise about this do so because they hate Trump. 99% of people don't give a shit. Who is to say it will even decline. It's a false assumption.
That's entirely incorrect. Your biggest tourists (Canadians) don't want to visit anymore because they feel betrayed. The trust that Trump has broken will likely never be recovered. The Canadian government is already starting the slow and long path to removing US dependence.
As for this being nonsense and comparing it to Mr. 97 Countries (what a joke that he thinks thats a flex on this blog lmao) — the difference is, I know what...
That's entirely incorrect. Your biggest tourists (Canadians) don't want to visit anymore because they feel betrayed. The trust that Trump has broken will likely never be recovered. The Canadian government is already starting the slow and long path to removing US dependence.
As for this being nonsense and comparing it to Mr. 97 Countries (what a joke that he thinks thats a flex on this blog lmao) — the difference is, I know what line to follow when I'm in China or Egypt or wherever for a week. In the US it's Russian roulette (pun intended)… I might get detained for some meme a friend sent me.
Ugh. China imposed 100 percent tariffs and executed 4 Canadian citizens. And you think China is ok versus America?
Love this whataboutism. This bad thing isn't bad because that bad thing is badder. Isn't it possible that the White House simply misstepped on one policy? Even for an enthusiastic supporter of the administration and most of its policies, isn't it possible to hold a view that says "I love the guy and I like what they're doing but I'm not on board with bashing our closest friend and ally"? Is that impossible? Or have...
Love this whataboutism. This bad thing isn't bad because that bad thing is badder. Isn't it possible that the White House simply misstepped on one policy? Even for an enthusiastic supporter of the administration and most of its policies, isn't it possible to hold a view that says "I love the guy and I like what they're doing but I'm not on board with bashing our closest friend and ally"? Is that impossible? Or have some Americans simply forgotten how to assess policy?
Again, whatever.
The more people stay away, the better. May there be zero tourists going.
A dictatorship needs to be systematically and comprehensively isolated, not rewarded with tourism dollars.
This is what you wanted, Americans. If you turn your back on the world, don't expect to have people flocking to your crappy country.
Don’t lump us all together. Roughly half the country did not vote for him and many are protesting against him and Musk. Please have some empathy for the rest of us while we navigate this difficult time.
Oh cry me a freaking river!
A good 99%+ of people are NOT protesting.
You Americans are submissive and will do whatever your masters ask.
Do you think any of this crap would have simply been allowed to happen in France? Spain? Germany? Heck, even in the UK? Not a chance. Those are real democracies, you're now living in a dictatorship that will never even have elections again.
I feel for the people that didn't...
Oh cry me a freaking river!
A good 99%+ of people are NOT protesting.
You Americans are submissive and will do whatever your masters ask.
Do you think any of this crap would have simply been allowed to happen in France? Spain? Germany? Heck, even in the UK? Not a chance. Those are real democracies, you're now living in a dictatorship that will never even have elections again.
I feel for the people that didn't vote for the dictator, but America's had this coming for a long time...
Robin, you have the same level of logic and manners as the MAGAts.
He’s your President, get over it snowflake
Says the person who never wanders outside of the trailer park
First “reply” of the day and I don’t need to read anymore. I will hand you the trophy for best comeback of the week and the week has just begun.