We’ve heard a lot of stories about decreased foreign travel demand to the United States, for a variety of reasons. That information has largely been anecdotal, or has been based on forecasts rather than actual travel data, since there’s a gap between when people book tickets and when they actually travel.
Furthermore, there’s the ability to selectively quote figures to make things look a certain way. So in this post, I want to take a look at the raw data that we currently have on how foreign travel demand to the United States has changed in recent months. The decline is alarming, and given the continuing trend, one wonders how much bigger this decrease could become.
In this post:
Data on drop in tourism to the United States
The International Trade Administration (an official government organization) publishes data on foreign visitors to the United States (thanks to Live and Let’s Fly for flagging this). Specifically, this data is about the International Visitor Arrivals Program (called ADIS I-94), which provides details on visitor arrivals to the United States, who are staying at least one night, with a tourist, business, or student visa.
The data is fascinating, and I encourage everyone to take a look for themselves. Just follow this link, and scroll to the “I-94 Monthly Summary & Analysis Reports,” where you can download the monthly spreadsheets with data.
Let’s take a look at some of the year-over-year data. Let me emphasize that this excludes visitors from Canada, since they’re the only country where an I-94 isn’t required (and the decrease in demand there might be even higher than in other regions).
Here’s the year-over-year data by month:
- In January 2025, we saw a 5.4% year-over-year increase in foreign visitors to the United States; this included an 8.4% increase in tourist visas, a 2.3% decrease in business visas, and a 3.7% increase in student visas
- In February 2025, we saw a 2.4% year-over-year decrease in foreign visitors to the United States; this included a 4.4% decrease in tourist visas, a 9.3% increase in business visas, and an 11.4% decrease in student visas
- In March 2025, we saw an 11.6% year-over-year decrease in foreign visitors to the United States; this included a 17.8% decrease in tourist visas, a 14.4% increase in business visas, and an 1% increase in student visas
As you can see, I broke this down by tourist visas, business visas, and student visas, though let me emphasize that tourist visas account for a vast majority of the visitor numbers, so that’s the percentage that’s most significant in terms of number of overall visitors.
That’s a pretty steady decline, as we’re talking about a 7.8% decrease from January to February, and a 9.2% decrease from February to March. Those are the overall visitors numbers, and if you look specifically at tourism, we’re looking at a 12.8% decrease from January to February, and a 13.4% decrease from February to March.
It’ll be interesting to see what April data looks like. I’d expect the gap to continue to grow, simply because many people book their tickets months in advance. After all, there are a lot of people who may not feel great about traveling to the United States, but they already had non-refundable travel booked, so they completed their trip.
It’s also worth specifically mentioning that while there’s a reduction in foreigners visiting the United States, in terms of passenger numbers, that’s largely offset by an increase in Americans traveling abroad. So this drop in tourism doesn’t mean that flights to and from the United States are empty.
What’s causing the reduction in United States tourism?
Why is tourism to the United States decreasing considerably? Everyone can draw their own conclusions. I’m not meaning to make this post political, but when politics impacts travel demand, it also can’t be ignored:
- We’ve seen several countries issue travel warnings for the United States, warning of the risk of being denied entry or detained at the border, even if one has an entry visa
- There’s certainly a lot of frustration with the United States’ tariff policy, and the impact it’s having on the global economy
- The reality is that in many countries, it has become kind of taboo to talk about traveling to the United States, and it isn’t considered cool
It’s interesting to look at the patters across different countries. For example, in March 2025, we saw a 41.3% reduction in visitors from Iceland, while we saw a 43.1% increase in visitors from Slovenia.
Politics aside, the US Dollar is also quite strong (well, or at least has been), and that makes travel to the United States more expensive for travelers from many countries. However, that didn’t seem to deter people in January, so…
Furthermore, it’s also worth mentioning that Easter was in April this year, rather than March. Based on April data, I guess we’ll see how much that impacted travel demand.
What are the implications of this reduction in visitors?
Tourism drives trillions of dollars in revenue to the United States 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.
So, how does the reduction of inbound tourism impact various stakeholders?
- The “big three” US airlines are actually doing fine for now, given that so much of the demand across the Atlantic is for Americans traveling abroad, rather than the other way around; so while we’ve seen fewer foreigners visit the United States, we’ve seen more Americans traveling abroad
- I’d argue that this trend is much more concerning for hotels and other US-based tourism businesses, as they’re dealing with a decrease of foreign visitors, plus a decrease in American visitors, given that Americans are also increasingly traveling abroad
The bigger challenge that US airlines face right now is the general economic uncertainty. When it comes to economic suffering, airlines are typically first in line:
- The stock market getting absolutely battered isn’t good for the premium leisure demand that airlines rely on, which largely consists of people who may pull back their spending, having less money to play with
- Prices going up in the short term due to tariffs will put more financial pressure on average families, and increase costs, leaving less money for discretionary travel
- With less of a focus on global trade, we’re likely eventually going to see a reduction in international business travel (though for now business travel is up, presumably as companies try to tackle all the changes)
Bottom line
It’s interesting to look at the data about how foreign visitors to the United States have declined in the first three months of 2025. In terms of year-over-year changes, January saw a 5.4% increase, February saw a 2.4% decrease, and March saw an 11.6% decrease. That’s quite a swing, and it’ll have major implications for the tourism industry.
For airlines, the good news is that the number of Americans traveling abroad is continuing to increase, though one would assume that at some point, economic uncertainty will cause consumers to cut back on their spending.
The shifts we’re seeing here are absolutely massive, so let’s see what the April data looks like…
What do you make of this reduction in tourism demand to the United States?
I have visited many many times the USA over the last 45 years, and I saw how far this country has drifted over the years, away from Europe. My last visit to SFO and Berkeley was so shocking, that I went to the tourist office down Union square to complain of the state ofthe city.
Looking at the circus of incompetence and chaos now going on in their government, it is clear that I...
I have visited many many times the USA over the last 45 years, and I saw how far this country has drifted over the years, away from Europe. My last visit to SFO and Berkeley was so shocking, that I went to the tourist office down Union square to complain of the state ofthe city.
Looking at the circus of incompetence and chaos now going on in their government, it is clear that I will not return there for the foreseable future. None of my friends will either.
Living between Asia and Europe, I can also see the dramatic decline of the attraction the USA once had in Asia.
Amazed at how many more posts are made on OMATT when the topic supports bashing the current administration. I really thought this was an air travel/airplane/airlines/airport/hotels and points deals website.
That said, perhaps once some of the new policies are full in effect, and crime is down in major cities, we will see an uptick in tourism as the USA will be a safer place. (This is where you quote me and say safer only...
Amazed at how many more posts are made on OMATT when the topic supports bashing the current administration. I really thought this was an air travel/airplane/airlines/airport/hotels and points deals website.
That said, perhaps once some of the new policies are full in effect, and crime is down in major cities, we will see an uptick in tourism as the USA will be a safer place. (This is where you quote me and say safer only for white heterosexual Christians, or words to that effect).
For too long criminals were let off for crimes, violent and non-violent. US laws have not changed, they are just enforcing them. Try pulling stunts in some Middle Eastern countries or Singapore and see how you are treated.
Correction. Typo: OMAAT
Violent crime has been on a sharp downward trend for decades, and in 2023 it was lower than at any point during Trump's first term:
https://www.statista.com/statistics/191219/reported-violent-crime-rate-in-the-usa-since-1990/
I doubt Trump will help anything since he's hellbent on replacing competent people at all levels with MAGA sycophants
Nothing in this post is "bashing" the current administration. It's reporting facts, consequences in real data of policies that have been implemented by the current administration. It is no more "bashing" the administration to report on the consequences of its actions than it is "bashing" for my professor to give me a lower grade when I perform poorly on an exam.
Fascinating how MAGAs seem to confuse accurate reporting of facts they find inconvenient with...
Nothing in this post is "bashing" the current administration. It's reporting facts, consequences in real data of policies that have been implemented by the current administration. It is no more "bashing" the administration to report on the consequences of its actions than it is "bashing" for my professor to give me a lower grade when I perform poorly on an exam.
Fascinating how MAGAs seem to confuse accurate reporting of facts they find inconvenient with "bashing" or attacks.
The psychopath in the White House has stated he’s done more for religion than anyone else. He then said Italy and the USA have a common history and culture dating back 1000s of years. Duh?
He’s never heard of Congo. His entire unhinged policy is based on in immigration and unhinged obsession with tariffs.
All the racists and worse elements of US society voted for him. There are innocent people deported to a...
The psychopath in the White House has stated he’s done more for religion than anyone else. He then said Italy and the USA have a common history and culture dating back 1000s of years. Duh?
He’s never heard of Congo. His entire unhinged policy is based on in immigration and unhinged obsession with tariffs.
All the racists and worse elements of US society voted for him. There are innocent people deported to a concentration camp in El Salvador.
The US(eless) government cannot in anyway be trusted.
I think the timing of this means that politics is involved. But in general it is actually just insane to vacation in any major US city. NY/LA/Miami etc are all just incredibly unaffordable places to visit if you earn in EUR/GBP. There's so much better value to be had elsewhere
Dollar is actually getting weaker compared to euro, so European visitors should go up, not down, if prices are the main concern.
I wonder how this affects upcoming events such as the World Cup and Olympics.
"we’re talking about a 7.8% decrease from January to February"
I stopped reading at this point as a misunderstanding of mathematics this basic makes me doubt all other figures in this post.
You are puting way to much emphasis on politics. The reality is that one of the main motivations for tourism is affordability. Only wealthy travellers will not be deterred by a strong US dollar. The absolutely majority, the ones that fly coach, will look for more affordable places. I would like to see the statistics of tourism from countries that have their currency pegged to the dollar or whose currencies have outperform the Euro, Yen, etc.
Why did inbound travel rise in January and the months preceding that then? The dollar was actually stronger then, and has fallen since.
Of course the strong US dollar will play a role but that is very far from the whole story.
I am thinking of visiting Paris around July 4th so I can get away from the idiots with their fireworks in my neighbourhood. AF just isn't cooperating with its prices on LP. I wonder when it will receive the memo...
It is the same story for those of us who wish to turn right out of CDG after the rainy season.
Fingers crossed for a global downturn in La Premiere prices.
Fingers, toes and legs firmly crossed.
That’s because LP is operating with almost 100 load factors. The elite won’t change travel habits and paying 1000s for tickets is small change. They will also add it on more aircraft over the next 20 months and most likely include more destinations in the US
AF already got the memo.
Milk the idiots who need to cross the Atlantic just to get away from fireworks.
You crack me up Esk, more patter than the Chinese army in flip-flops. :-)
Thanks for the grin.
P.S. Are you accusing me of being one of the idiots just because I want to turn right out of CDG, onboard the new LP offering?
So, I am financially well off enough to have choices and I am the idiot? Well allllllllriiiiiiigggggghtttty then...
Hotel booked. Now it's either going to be AF across the pond or BA's First Class. But definitely not AF at those ridiculous $12K+ price points.
Yes, what we need in France is more American tourists. Especially the holier-than-thou ones.
Bogus “news” stories like the ones about the German girls are hurting US tourism. Lucky reported the facts, while the rest of the news media got it dead wrong. This is hurting our country, tourism industry, including low paid front line employees. Our own news media are complicit, just to push a false political narrative. You can’t hate them enough.
It’s because Ben tries to always search for the opposing story and presents both to the viewer unlike Gary and quite recently Matthew.
I mean, the German girls were treated incredibly harshly for what is in reality a very minor infraction that most countries won't deny entry over. How many times have you worked while on vacation in a foreign country?
The point is Ben presents the whole story, or at last tries to and lets the reader decide.
Do you take issue with that?
@Sosongblue
No, I don't take issue with that. I was replying to Sel D, I said this in the other thread and I'll repeat it here. Ben reported the same thing as the "fake news media" Sel loves to complain about, and the only conservative media I found running the story was the NY Post, which surprise surprise also had the same story as the "fake news media". In that story, the only one pushing a false narrative is Sel.
Ben of course reported ON the same thing but took care not to over sensationalize like news outlets from both political leanings (as you correctly highlighted) as well as blogs like Gary’s which outright aim to inflame. I for one hope Ben continues with his style. Sal was simply also showing the same appreciation for Ben, but because of how he said it you seem to be incapable of just letting it go without trying...
Ben of course reported ON the same thing but took care not to over sensationalize like news outlets from both political leanings (as you correctly highlighted) as well as blogs like Gary’s which outright aim to inflame. I for one hope Ben continues with his style. Sal was simply also showing the same appreciation for Ben, but because of how he said it you seem to be incapable of just letting it go without trying to comment that his reasoning for appreciating Ben is somehow invalid…. Come on man
Correct.
I have nothing to dispute with his opinion on Ben's writing. I'm pointing out that he's dismissing a large swath of traditional media outlets out of hand because they aren't on his "team", even though by and large they're the only ones reporting on it and the only conservative outlet reporting on it was posting the same thing as the center and left outlets. It shows clear bias on his part, especially when you can...
I have nothing to dispute with his opinion on Ben's writing. I'm pointing out that he's dismissing a large swath of traditional media outlets out of hand because they aren't on his "team", even though by and large they're the only ones reporting on it and the only conservative outlet reporting on it was posting the same thing as the center and left outlets. It shows clear bias on his part, especially when you can literally go look at these outlets and see he's peddling nonsense. Just to name a couple, neither MSN's nor Newsweek's article on this were sensationalized. They reported the facts, and Newsweek even included the CBP Public Affair's comment on the case. They weren't "dead wrong" as Sel put it.
What’s wrong with you dude? Step back reread this thread and reassess what is worth nitpicking about. You are arguing endlessly with me about something I don’t care about, meanwhile Sel is sitting back laughing as you are presenting yourself just as crazy as him…. Congrats
Looool. For Newsweek:
1. The headline is categorically false
2. They fail to mention the girls admitted they intended on working
3. Article fails to admit the girls CHOSE to go to a detention center so they could fly to Japan instead of going back to New Zealand
4. I never said sensationalized, I said fake and misleading.
5. Reread 1-4 several times until you get it.
6. Yes I’m laughing.
You can’t just drop it and recognize and echo that Ben’s presentation of issues is appreciated by people of all politics wether you agree with them or not?
Do you want to continue to argue a point I don’t care about for your own narcissism?
@Sel D
1. Is it? They didn't have accommodation booked for their entire stay, which led to increased scrutiny by the CBP agent and the eventual rejection. That's the cause and effect in less words. It is misleading I'll grant you, but if you're complaining about that you should also be complaining about Ben's $43k Delta Compensation headline. 99% of news articles have a sensationalized or rage-bait headline, the purpose is to get you...
@Sel D
1. Is it? They didn't have accommodation booked for their entire stay, which led to increased scrutiny by the CBP agent and the eventual rejection. That's the cause and effect in less words. It is misleading I'll grant you, but if you're complaining about that you should also be complaining about Ben's $43k Delta Compensation headline. 99% of news articles have a sensationalized or rage-bait headline, the purpose is to get you to read the article because that's what generates engagement. Your takes make sense in that you can't seem to read anything past a headline.
2. The girls never said in their statement that they intended on working. The CBP claims they were there to work, based solely on their net-jobs and lack of lodging bookings. Refer back to Ben's article and READ.
3. Big stretch to say they chose to be detained, they asked to be allowed to leave on the flight they had rebooked for the next day but did not realize this meant they'd be thrown in a literal prison until their flight. CBP doesn't seem to have explained to them what "detained" entailed.
4. You did, but I was replying to @Sosongblue in that post and he did use the term. I quoted you as saying "dead wrong" when they factually weren't. Work on your reading comprehension.
Still wrong. Read the reddit post the girls deleted because it wasn't good for the cause. They did indeed state they intended on working. They even gave advice to others to not make the same mistake. They were told they would go to a detention center if they wanted to fly back the next day instead of return to New Zealand. CBP has no duty to inform people attempting to illegally the country what being detained entails, especially when they present an alternative.
I wouldn't go anywhere near the US right now. Why on earth would anyone want to spend their hard-earned money going on holiday to a country that doesn't want them?
I’m wondering how the tourists who enter under the ESTA visa waiver system would be classified. Most European and A large proportion of Asian tourists would enter the US without a visa under the ESTA system. Are they accounted for separately or lumped into the “tourist visa entries despite not having a visa?
They all ought be classified as tourist. Since technically one needs B1 visa for any business activity including attending conferences.
The I-94 is not visa, it is basically a record of admission and departure. Until few years ago, immigration officers would staple an ID sized I-94 to the passport on entry. Then for departure you'd handover the paper copy to the gate agent when boarding. Since then it has been digitized and is not electronically available.
All I care about is for 5* hotels to reduce their prices and airlines to reduce their J and F prices.
Americans voted for this. Just like some dumb brits will tell you they know what they were voting for when they voted for brexit - even though they will now tell you that this is not the brexit they voted for - whatever that means...
Justin, Justin, Brexit bashing is now so loony lefties and loopy LibDem gibberish.
Remoaners remorse on steroids old bean.
@AeroB13a middle class lifelong Conservative Party member (along with my parents and grandparents) and I think Brexit was an astonishingly stupid move.
Aero, Aero, Aero,
See Brexit Dumb's post.
Thank you so much for the grin chaps. Hook line and sinker …. gutted, filleted and thrown out with the rest of the rubbish ….:-)
Hi Ben,
I was wondering if Easter timing might explain most of the drop in March on a YOY basis, especially for visitors from Europe. Last year, Easter was Mar 31st with European Easter travel season starting the week before that. This year, Easter took place on April 20th with European Easter travel season not touching Mar at all. If I look at 2016 (Easter March) and 2017 (Easter April) YOY data, I find...
Hi Ben,
I was wondering if Easter timing might explain most of the drop in March on a YOY basis, especially for visitors from Europe. Last year, Easter was Mar 31st with European Easter travel season starting the week before that. This year, Easter took place on April 20th with European Easter travel season not touching Mar at all. If I look at 2016 (Easter March) and 2017 (Easter April) YOY data, I find that overall passenger volume from Western Europe according to ADIS I-94 was down -15% YOY, not too dissimilar from -17% YOY this year. Looking at other Easter Mar/Apr shifts for the last 25 years doesn't change the picture, there is always a mid-teens drop in travel. I'd still say that anecdotal evidence suggests somewhat weaker travel patterns into the US from Europe but there is not necessarily a sudden deceleration in Mar on a YOY basis versus Feb or Jan.
Best,
Marc
Every day thousands and thousands come into the US through a customs port with verifiable documentation and proper reason with no issue. They're interaction with a Customs officer might be 30-60 seconds. Just like COVID, the sheep are easily scared.
Ummmm... Most people are not scared, that is not the issue. They just don't want to visit their weird neighbour with a creepy dad's house. They don't want to support the country that is burning down the rules based international that the US built. We don't want to visit a country who's president get's on better with Russia's dictator than with Canada or Denmark.
Of course they're scared. Even if the chances of encountering an abusive CBP officer are low, the trauma level is high. Why take the risk if you don't have to? And why allow this kind of abuse to continue, given the effect it has on potential visitors - whether you think that effect is rational or not?
The COVID reference is uncalled far. You may have been lucky with COVID, but I lost my dad to it. I wish you no harm, but with that kind of cavalier attitude your luck may run out one day.
Sorry to hear that, @Venu, and I concur.
G Romey, you just exemplified the reason why people do not want to visit the US.
They could just pick up extra business by turning to deportation flights, like Avelo claims is “critical” to their financial survival.
https://www.wsj.com/business/airlines/avelo-airlines-ice-deportation-flights-f5f150db?mod=mhp
Just another example that under Trump's second term, America has begun a rapid retreat from global leadership threatens our prosperity. His tariffs are projected to reduce long-run GDP by 6% and wages by 5%, with middle-income households facing $22,000 lifetime losses. Americans recognize this reality - Trump's economic approval has fallen to 37%, three-quarters fear recession, and the stock market has dropped 14%.
Beyond economics, America's information infrastructure is being dismantled as the administration defunds...
Just another example that under Trump's second term, America has begun a rapid retreat from global leadership threatens our prosperity. His tariffs are projected to reduce long-run GDP by 6% and wages by 5%, with middle-income households facing $22,000 lifetime losses. Americans recognize this reality - Trump's economic approval has fallen to 37%, three-quarters fear recession, and the stock market has dropped 14%.
Beyond economics, America's information infrastructure is being dismantled as the administration defunds critical data collection on everything from health to climate change. We once built great things and valued knowledge, but now our institutions are being hollowed out. America's experiment with economic isolationism and rejection of evidence-based governance isn't strengthening us - it's accelerating our decline. We must stop this soon.
I can't blame these folks for not visiting America under Trump and MAGA - I wouldn't visit if I were them.
Right now most people consider Americans to be dicks, rate their flights, hotels and restaurants as expensive & the possibility of being denied entry (and losing all your travel spend by being deported) as too high to risk. The moral side of tariffs comes into it somewhere too.
HOWEVER if the numbers of visitors keep dropping hard, the industry has to react. Flights go into sale-mode and hotels have to drop prices to sell rooms?...
Right now most people consider Americans to be dicks, rate their flights, hotels and restaurants as expensive & the possibility of being denied entry (and losing all your travel spend by being deported) as too high to risk. The moral side of tariffs comes into it somewhere too.
HOWEVER if the numbers of visitors keep dropping hard, the industry has to react. Flights go into sale-mode and hotels have to drop prices to sell rooms? Well then the risk of being denied entry (especially if you're white and were born in a 1st world country) fades rapidly. ***loads Google Flights on browser***
Your moral compass takes a swerve and you jump at the chance to have a cheap holiday in Florida or New York in the fall.....
I disagree with you there UncleRonnie. The risk of deportation is just too great right now, regardless of the flight & hotel prices. Last year on Facebook I gave a thumbs up to a "Free Palestine" march that took place in my community. Considering that simple gesture may now get me deported is just not worth the hassle, even if the flights were free.
For the forseeable future, I'll avoid the US like the...
I disagree with you there UncleRonnie. The risk of deportation is just too great right now, regardless of the flight & hotel prices. Last year on Facebook I gave a thumbs up to a "Free Palestine" march that took place in my community. Considering that simple gesture may now get me deported is just not worth the hassle, even if the flights were free.
For the forseeable future, I'll avoid the US like the plague it has become.
I'd like to hear the opinions from other non-US citizens on this forum. i.e. those who don't consider the US to be the greatest country in the world.
I'm not American, and I won't be traveling there in the next few years.
My family (a group of 10) and I had a cruise scheduled from Miami for September. We've since changed our plans; we're going on a cruise from Venice.
A much nicer destination, without the risk of being deported or thrown in jail.
Why would I spend my money in a country that doesn't want me there?
You ALWAYS had a chance to be refused at the border. And yes it’s always been up to the CBP officer…the only difference now is that rules of entry are being enforced. If you had proof of onward travel, or cruise, you and your family would be fine. Hopefully cruise and hotel prices will finally go down for us US residence as a result. Have fun in your travels wherever they may be.
@Dan77W
The German girls had onward proof of travel and were still denied
Yes they did but you also need to satisfy the CBP officer that you were not there to work in any fashion…. Having cruise tickets pretty much precludes that. You must demonstrate sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay. A cruise pretty much takes care of that. There are lots of entry rules associated with the VWP,
This person and their family would have been fine. Different from two teenagers who admitted under...
Yes they did but you also need to satisfy the CBP officer that you were not there to work in any fashion…. Having cruise tickets pretty much precludes that. You must demonstrate sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay. A cruise pretty much takes care of that. There are lots of entry rules associated with the VWP,
This person and their family would have been fine. Different from two teenagers who admitted under questioning that sometimes they do freelance jobs during their travels. YOU DONT SAY THAT
Assuming the CBP guy in the other article was who he says he was, incidental work during a vacation by itself is not typically a reason for rejection. Especially when they had proof of funds to support themselves during their stay and an onward ticket purchased, and per their own statement never said they intended to work while in the US.
And really? A cruise precludes work? News to me then, I was working from the boat in the Mediterranean on sea days last November.
And if the CBP officer is a MAGA, checks my phone and finds out I just replied to a work email?
No thanks. We'd rather not risk it. Besides, the US apparently doesn't want foreign tourists, since they are at war against the world, especially their former friends.
Disagree. Cancelled a trip to Boston and went to Paris instead. Better weather, food and culture. Florida will be cheap as bankruptcy among small tourist businesses sets in. Enjoy your early bird dinner. New York is never cheap. More important is the loss of trust we foreigners have. That might not come back.
Tourism drives trillions of dollars in revenue to the United States economy each year,
You make it sound like America is losing trillions in profit. President Trump has bought in over $5 trillion of business from other countries since returning to office. And the market is not down. Also the U.S. dollar is weak at the moment. An article with some statistics backed up by erroneous opinionated assumptions Ben. You are not an economist.
...Tourism drives trillions of dollars in revenue to the United States economy each year,
You make it sound like America is losing trillions in profit. President Trump has bought in over $5 trillion of business from other countries since returning to office. And the market is not down. Also the U.S. dollar is weak at the moment. An article with some statistics backed up by erroneous opinionated assumptions Ben. You are not an economist.
Ben’s strength is his travel experiences while LALF articles are written more articulate and to the point.
The $5 trillion figure is fiction and it's been proven. Trump has also subsequently claimed $7 trillion. Perhaps these investment figures, like his net worth, is indexed to his mood.
"President Trump has bought in over $5 trillion of business from other countries since returning to office"
Hahaha
Of course, Trump also turned water into wine and multiplied the fish.
And you have sources for all these spurious claims?
"Tourism drives trillions of dollars in revenue to the United States economy each year"
Trillions? We'll assume that's a typo.
"President Trump has bought in over $5 trillion of business from other countries since returning to office."
Source? None.
"And the market is not down."
Er...yes, it is. You sound like the dotard himself. Why lie when what you say is provably false?
Here’s over 3 Trillion to begin with, you can abhor his methods and his blunders but you can’t ignore the positives
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/saudi-economy-minister-says-600-bln-package-with-us-includes-investments-2025-01-24/
https://www.reuters.com/world/after-trump-meeting-uae-commits-10-year-14-trillion-investment-framework-us-2025-03-21/
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250208-237666/
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250208-237666/
Here’s over 3 Trillion to begin with, you can abhor his methods and his blunders but you can’t ignore the positives
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/saudi-economy-minister-says-600-bln-package-with-us-includes-investments-2025-01-24/
https://www.reuters.com/world/after-trump-meeting-uae-commits-10-year-14-trillion-investment-framework-us-2025-03-21/
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250208-237666/
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250208-237666/
@Sosongblue
You realize your Japan link is just a $220bn increase at absolute best right? Because their investments in the US as of 2023 was $783bn and they're promising to invest more to get over the $1 trillion net mark.
And UAE a $1.4 trillion investment over 10 years? Trump will be out of office in 4 years or less. Neither that nor the Saudi promise is worth the paper it's written on, and...
@Sosongblue
You realize your Japan link is just a $220bn increase at absolute best right? Because their investments in the US as of 2023 was $783bn and they're promising to invest more to get over the $1 trillion net mark.
And UAE a $1.4 trillion investment over 10 years? Trump will be out of office in 4 years or less. Neither that nor the Saudi promise is worth the paper it's written on, and they were already buying plenty of our military equipment anyways. Assuming the Saudis invest $600bn new and the UAE doesn't renege after Trump leaves office, that's $2.2 trillion in new investment, not $3 trillion, not $5 trillion.
The ME investments are also lacking a lot of details of what they'd even invest in, whereas at least with Japan we know they want more LNG and will invest more in Nippon Steel/US Steel, which we didn't need to play dumb brinksmanship games with tariffs to get to begin with.
Yes I realize all that… we will just wait and see what happens. There will be a lot of investment, will it be enough to make up for losses elsewhere… who know
@SosongBlue
Given the haphazard and utterly stupid way these morons implemented their trade policies, I doubt it. But who knows, maybe the cholesterol will finally get to Trump and Vance will replace the cabinet with remotely competent people instead of Trump's suck-ups.
lol
Ben, the percentage increase/decrease is between Jan last year and Jan this year, Feb last year and Feb this year, etc. You cannot add these percentages together and then say "tourism dropped by 7.8% between january and february this year". You have to get the raw numbers and then calculate. The Jan and Feb percentages have nothing to do with each other.
That's a valid observation about statistics. Year-over-year percentages for different months shouldn't be added together. Looking at the data directly, overseas travel to the US fell nearly 12% in March 2025 compared to March 2024, with even steeper declines from specific regions: Western Europe down 17%, Central America down 24%, and Colombia down 33%. Tourism economists project this could mean a $9 billion loss in revenue if the trend continues. These aren't just abstract numbers...
That's a valid observation about statistics. Year-over-year percentages for different months shouldn't be added together. Looking at the data directly, overseas travel to the US fell nearly 12% in March 2025 compared to March 2024, with even steeper declines from specific regions: Western Europe down 17%, Central America down 24%, and Colombia down 33%. Tourism economists project this could mean a $9 billion loss in revenue if the trend continues. These aren't just abstract numbers - they represent real economic impact as international visitors respond to Trump's policies.
Maybe NYC & LA will be less crowded this summer.
In other news, Amex hasn't reported a drop in consumer spending. Guess the affluent and above market is doing just fine.
The affluent will spend until the end - whether it's because they can, or out of the absurd desire to keep up with the Joneses.
Or are they just spending more on fewer products?
Jan-Mar is looking dodgy. Apr-Jun stats will be bad. Jul-Sept will be catastrophic.
Sadly this is likely true.
You use the visa information which is only the partial picture. A lot of tourists come here with the visa waiver program. I believe the real number is even worse.
Oh this is very true. Very, very true.
I 94s are issued to every temporary traveler, visa waiver or not.
@DMA Flyer - I-94 is not Visa. Every non-immigrant (except Canadians) entering US is assigned an I-94 number. It is proves individual's legal visitor status in US.
https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home
It’s not just tariffs keeping people away. Beyond trade wars and annexation threats, “disappearing” people, creating lists based on medical files, and gutting health and safety regulations do not make me keen to visit.
Add those more recent reasons to the pre-existing reasons like potential for gun violence or MAGAt encounters and I really don’t find the US to be a desirable holiday destination.
100%. Plainclothes goons in masks picking up students with valid visas off the street and deporting them because they have the temerity to disagree with the tangerine clown in public.
Some of the students whose visas have been revoked have not even expressed any public opinions on political issues at all. They had old speeding tickets or other minor violations that have been adjudicated and close. Or even dismissed.
And then there's the extradjudicial deportation of Abrego. The reason I have no interest in visiting North Korea is because of behavior like that (see Otto Warmbier).
Inbound government traffic is dropping significantly as well, not sure BA will be able to maintain the 3 daily IAD flights ( A380 on the BA293) and VS have often struggled on certain days so expect frequency reductions their too.
That ‘buzz’ is echoed on the right side of the pond too.
The loony Labour politicians are keeping all the perks for themselves, while the military, etc, are being told to cut back.
Fortunately for some of us we are immune from the UK bean counting bureaucracy.
If there were more bean counters during the tory fiasco of 14 years of gross mismanagement and stealing of the very dirt from under british citizens, the labour government now in charge, would not have to count the few coppers that are left.
Come now Justin, you should know very well that there has not been a true Tory government in the UK since Margaret Thatcher.
The back stabbing LibDems Major and Heseltine, followed by Cameroon, etc, etc, (pretending to be Conservatives), were no more Tory than Corbin.
@AeroB13a If one predicates the designation “true Tory” on market friendly policies that lead to economic growth, then I’m afraid you are laboring under a miss apprehension. The claim that there has been no true Tory government since Margaret Thatcher overlooks the fact that Thatcher's economic policies did not actually lead to long-term growth. While she implemented sweeping changes, including privatization and curbing union power, the UK’s economic growth under her rule was not exceptional,...
@AeroB13a If one predicates the designation “true Tory” on market friendly policies that lead to economic growth, then I’m afraid you are laboring under a miss apprehension. The claim that there has been no true Tory government since Margaret Thatcher overlooks the fact that Thatcher's economic policies did not actually lead to long-term growth. While she implemented sweeping changes, including privatization and curbing union power, the UK’s economic growth under her rule was not exceptional, and inequality worsened. Thatcher’s legacy is often mythologized as an economic savior, but her policies created lasting problems, including de-industrialization and rising inequality. If we’re defining a "true Tory" government by its economic impact, her tenure doesn’t actually hold up as a model of sustained success.
For me personally, the biggest downside of the US are the prices. If you look for a Hotel in Boston NY LA Miami or many more places, you‘ll pay 300 Dollar plus plus for a Hampton Inn.
Another massive annoyance is the tipping culture… used to be 10% now they give stern looks at starbucks if you add only 15%… even at petrol stations they suggest tips….
And I start to feel a...
For me personally, the biggest downside of the US are the prices. If you look for a Hotel in Boston NY LA Miami or many more places, you‘ll pay 300 Dollar plus plus for a Hampton Inn.
Another massive annoyance is the tipping culture… used to be 10% now they give stern looks at starbucks if you add only 15%… even at petrol stations they suggest tips….
And I start to feel a change in people, missing a welcoming attitude, just waiting for the red or blue question…
Just for reference, flying multiple times a year to the US, since about 20 years
While tip inflation is real, restaurant standard was never 10%—or hasn't been in 50 years, at least. Anyone leaving 10% the the last decades has not been traveling with awareness of cultural differences.
And I've never seen a tip prompt in a gas station or conviennca e store. Maybe it's happened once or twice, but it more of a misinformed legend of foreign lands than a real thing.
Ok, then I was greedy … but for sure that tip thing showed up multiple times the last journeys, and mostly I have to run the counter because half of the time the card reader at the pump has difficulties reading my card…
Yep, 15% was the standard in restaurants since the '90s into the 2010s. Over the past decade that's gone up to an 18% minimum and a lot of auto-prompt systems are configured to go up to 22-25%. While I haven't seen tip prompts in gas stations or convenience stores (admittedly I rarely go into them), a lot of fast food/takeout places like poke bars, Chipotle, chinese takeout joints, etc. prompt for tips. For those places...
Yep, 15% was the standard in restaurants since the '90s into the 2010s. Over the past decade that's gone up to an 18% minimum and a lot of auto-prompt systems are configured to go up to 22-25%. While I haven't seen tip prompts in gas stations or convenience stores (admittedly I rarely go into them), a lot of fast food/takeout places like poke bars, Chipotle, chinese takeout joints, etc. prompt for tips. For those places I'll leave a 10-15% tip if I'm just taking out, because at least the way I was raised tips are supposed to be for service and if I'm taking out there's no service. I don't tip as a rule at coffee shops like Starbucks.
Acknowledgment of US tipping culture by tourists is always appreciated. I’ve been given a “oner” by an Aussie before after hauling huge luggage and tipped $1.77 on a nearly $200 restaurant tab once by some foreigners. It’s the thought that counts.
Readers please be assured that I have not deserted the U.S. I will still be flying over next week.
My favourite Springs eatery will benefit from a few English £/$. Plus the odd coffee shop to downtown …. :-)
whew thank goodness
Of course. I could never have imagined the level of disappointment the world has in the US right now. I am Australian and have always liked the US (like most Aussies) and I would never dream of travelling to the US now. Most of the world is doing everything they can to boycott US goods (as they should). No worse enemy than a friend betrayed. It will takes decades (if at all) for the US...
Of course. I could never have imagined the level of disappointment the world has in the US right now. I am Australian and have always liked the US (like most Aussies) and I would never dream of travelling to the US now. Most of the world is doing everything they can to boycott US goods (as they should). No worse enemy than a friend betrayed. It will takes decades (if at all) for the US to recover from the reputational loss that is MAGA Take 2. The world is looking with shock and sadness at what the US political leadership has become (and I am a conservative!).
Yes - it is sad. I would not want to come here anymore either, and I completely understand why Europeans and other traditional western allies around the world would boycott the USA for safety and moral reasons right now. Canadians, Greenlanders and Danish especially.
If you do come, know that the blue states like California are not on board with this situation at all. Come see places like NYC, SF, Disneyland and Yosemite this summer...
Yes - it is sad. I would not want to come here anymore either, and I completely understand why Europeans and other traditional western allies around the world would boycott the USA for safety and moral reasons right now. Canadians, Greenlanders and Danish especially.
If you do come, know that the blue states like California are not on board with this situation at all. Come see places like NYC, SF, Disneyland and Yosemite this summer if coming to USA. I would avoid Florida and Texas like the plague. But I do that anyway lol
I’m planning a trip to Australia next year and hope Aussies won’t judge too harshly for being American. Please remember that 45%+ of us did NOT vote for the orange menace and are still living with this horror show daily. It’s nice to escape for a while when possible…
You know? It's awesome to watch those of you on the left have complete meltdowns over this. And it makes a TON of us happy! Enjoy the next 3.6 years!
People like you prove the point. Dude we don't have skin in this game. If you enjoy the world hating you, then that makes you weird. I have never seen such snowflakes than when MAGA people hear people complain about Trump. It's embarrassing. It's like he is your daddy. I would not want the world to hate my country like you seem to want and enjoy. You MAGA guys are living in cult were all...
People like you prove the point. Dude we don't have skin in this game. If you enjoy the world hating you, then that makes you weird. I have never seen such snowflakes than when MAGA people hear people complain about Trump. It's embarrassing. It's like he is your daddy. I would not want the world to hate my country like you seem to want and enjoy. You MAGA guys are living in cult were all you do is worship orange jesus. I have no issue with different views, but by god you are detached from reality. America use to stand for something, but people like you remind me why I won't be travelling, and why american's will be less welcome everywhere.
This could be Trump's crowning achievement. Rob his middle class and poor supporters blind, and convince them that "owning the libs" rather than making their lives better is winning. If watching fellow Americans express genuine concern about a democracy in crisis brings joy, perhaps that's the real derangement to examine.
Consider the actual deranged behaviors we're witnessing:
- Trump says Arnold Palmer's genitalia made other golf pros say "Oh my God, that's unbelievable" at...
This could be Trump's crowning achievement. Rob his middle class and poor supporters blind, and convince them that "owning the libs" rather than making their lives better is winning. If watching fellow Americans express genuine concern about a democracy in crisis brings joy, perhaps that's the real derangement to examine.
Consider the actual deranged behaviors we're witnessing:
- Trump says Arnold Palmer's genitalia made other golf pros say "Oh my God, that's unbelievable" at a public rally
- He claims Nazis showed "signs of love" to Holocaust victims through extra bread and winks
- He fills his cabinet with conspiracy theorists who claim Haitian immigrants are eating pets
- He specifically appoints a person who shot their dog for a little misbehavior as DHS Secretary
- He spends 39 minutes at a town hall dancing to "Ave Maria" and "Memory" from Cats instead of answering questions
- He deliberately redesigned the COVID-19 website to promote conspiracy theories instead of health information
- He calls opponents "mentally disabled" and suggests deploying "a million Rambos" in Afghanistan
Meanwhile, his supporters cheer these behaviors while accusing others of derangement for noticing them. This inversion of reality - where rational concern is labeled "derangement" while actual deranged behavior is celebrated - is the textbook definition of gaslighting and also very weird.
I live part time in Europe. Was just there for a bit and returned home earlier this week. Most of my neighbors and friends in Europe know that Americans visiting European countries are most likely to be progressive and aghast at what's happening in the US. The same for my friends and family in Australia. That's to say if you're in, say, Madrid or London other European cities to experience the culture and sights, most...
I live part time in Europe. Was just there for a bit and returned home earlier this week. Most of my neighbors and friends in Europe know that Americans visiting European countries are most likely to be progressive and aghast at what's happening in the US. The same for my friends and family in Australia. That's to say if you're in, say, Madrid or London other European cities to experience the culture and sights, most locals will realize you're the "good" American.
This doesn't apply for tourists taking cruises which depart/return to European cruises, I'm told. Cruise 'tourists', especially older ones, are likely to be despised for myriad reasons per many locals I know. Not just because cruises themselves tend to be harmful to the cities (lots of data on this that someone could write a post on), but because the sorts of people on cruises are...not the same.
Nothing good comes from a republican... seriously, watch crime go to minuscule levels if all were incarcerated. Uneducated, no love of science or equality, cant keep a marriage or job. The world would be so much better withh reoublicans not in our lives like the plague. I hate them so much.
End of discussion
You are so accepting.....Typical of your kind....
Why should anyone be tolerant of a political movement who's goal is to re-shore sweatshops, disappear "undesirables" to foreign prisons without due process, and enable the expansionist goals of countries like Russia and China? MAGA is no different from the German American Bund of the 1930s.
Accept orange hitler? No thank you :)
(S)He learnt from your kind.
I don’t blame them. The US is an overrated, overpriced and unsafe travel destination. Almost everywhere else in the world is more interesting, and offers a better ROI.
As a regular tourist to the USA over the last 30 years, I can confirm that only the ROI is poor. It's expensive. Overrated and unsafe? Not in my book. America is a wonderful place to visit full of interesting destinations and wonderful people.
In the last 10 years especially the prices have gone way up and the tipping culture is insane.
It would still be fair to mention that Easter, a major tourism period, was in April this year but March last year. Let's see the April year over year numbers before extrapolating any trends.
So much WINNING!
Well, "winning" if you hate tourist and visitor dollars.