Europeans are canceling trips to the US, reports the Financial Times
The Financial Times has reported a significant decline in tourism from Europe to the US as a result of political tensions and concerns about potentially hostile interactions at the US border under President Donald Trump. According to the report,...
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The Financial Times has reported a significant decline in tourism from Europe to the US as a result of political tensions and concerns about potentially hostile interactions at the US border under President Donald Trump.
According to the report, tourism from Europe has notably decreased amid Trump's assertive stance on international relations, which includes the recent implementation of extensive tariffs on various trade partners. Although he has granted a 90-day postponement for most countries, China was not granted this delay, leading to retaliatory tariff increases between Washington and Beijing that have unsettled global stock markets.
Paul English, co-founder of travel website Kayak, expressed concern about the impact of Trump's policies on international consumer sentiment. He stated, “In just two months [Trump] has destroyed the reputation of the US, shown one way by diminished travel from the EU to the US. This is not only one more terrible blow to the US economy, it also represents reputation damage that could take generations to repair.”
The Financial Times noted that overnight visits to the US from Western Europe plummeted by 17% in March compared to the previous year, with trips from nations such as Ireland, Norway, and Germany experiencing declines of over 20%. In light of the situation, several European countries have revised their travel advisories, indicating heightened risks associated with traveling to the US.
Overall, international visitor numbers to the US fell by 12% in March, marking the steepest drop since 2021 when the sector was still navigating pandemic-related travel restrictions. This downward trend poses a potential challenge to the US tourism industry, which contributes 2.5% to the nation’s $29 trillion GDP.
Oxford-based research firm Tourism Economics has revised its forecast for international visitor arrivals to the US for 2025, reducing it by 18% from previous estimates and projecting a 9.4% decline following Trump’s recent announcement regarding ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs. The firm indicated that negative sentiment, border policies, unfavorable exchange rates, and economic uncertainty will all hinder the US travel sector.
Adam Sacks, President of Tourism Economics, highlighted that Trump's combative rhetoric towards Canada, the EU, and Greenland has a “significant effect on sentiment towards the US, and therefore travel.” Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly advocated for the US annexation of NATO ally Canada and Greenland, a Danish territory.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
According to the report, tourism from Europe has notably decreased amid Trump's assertive stance on international relations, which includes the recent implementation of extensive tariffs on various trade partners. Although he has granted a 90-day postponement for most countries, China was not granted this delay, leading to retaliatory tariff increases between Washington and Beijing that have unsettled global stock markets.
Paul English, co-founder of travel website Kayak, expressed concern about the impact of Trump's policies on international consumer sentiment. He stated, “In just two months [Trump] has destroyed the reputation of the US, shown one way by diminished travel from the EU to the US. This is not only one more terrible blow to the US economy, it also represents reputation damage that could take generations to repair.”
The Financial Times noted that overnight visits to the US from Western Europe plummeted by 17% in March compared to the previous year, with trips from nations such as Ireland, Norway, and Germany experiencing declines of over 20%. In light of the situation, several European countries have revised their travel advisories, indicating heightened risks associated with traveling to the US.
Overall, international visitor numbers to the US fell by 12% in March, marking the steepest drop since 2021 when the sector was still navigating pandemic-related travel restrictions. This downward trend poses a potential challenge to the US tourism industry, which contributes 2.5% to the nation’s $29 trillion GDP.
Oxford-based research firm Tourism Economics has revised its forecast for international visitor arrivals to the US for 2025, reducing it by 18% from previous estimates and projecting a 9.4% decline following Trump’s recent announcement regarding ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs. The firm indicated that negative sentiment, border policies, unfavorable exchange rates, and economic uncertainty will all hinder the US travel sector.
Adam Sacks, President of Tourism Economics, highlighted that Trump's combative rhetoric towards Canada, the EU, and Greenland has a “significant effect on sentiment towards the US, and therefore travel.” Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly advocated for the US annexation of NATO ally Canada and Greenland, a Danish territory.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
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