The Facts and Figures Behind a US Tourism Decline

International visits to the United States fell about 14 percent this March compared to last year, according to data compiled from the Department of Commerce, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other organizations and published by the U.S. Travel Association.

Data from Canada shows that March saw a 26 percent annual decline in overnight land trips, with air travel down 14 percent from last year. 

Canadians have been canceling their trips to the U.S. in a boycott following Trump’s tariffs on the country and his repeated claims of desiring to make the sovereign nation and longtime U.S. ally the 51st state. The US Travel Association reported that even a 10 percent reduction in Canadian visitation would cost the U.S. 14,000 jobs and over $2 billion in revenue. 

Western Europeans are also following suit: they’ve declined visiting by 17 percent in March for the first time since 2021. Visitation from Asia is still 25 percent below pre-pandemic level, while South America visitation is down 10 percent. 

These regions are historically the highest-value inbound travel markets for the United States. 

Many travelers are reconsidering traveling to the United States due to the news of foreign nationals being arbitrarily detained upon entering the United States; several Germans, British nationals, Canadians and others have been detained without cause, sometimes for several weeks, before being deported, stoking fear for international travelers. 

The U.S. Travel Association noted that every 1 percent drop in international visitor spending in the United States costs the nation $1.8 billion in export revenue. If the 14 percent drop were to continue throughout the year, the nation stands to lose $21 billion in revenue.

Domestic travel was much steadier during these first months of the year, but the U.S. Travel Association warns this may not last much longer. 

Domestic air travel was flat in March, compared to an increase in January and February. According to TSA Checkpoint inspection numbers, it was down 1.7 percent during the first half of April. Hotel occupancy and revenue remains steady, but consumer sentiment is cooling, which may lead to less consumer spending. American travelers are still prioritizing travel, even with recession fears looming. 

The nation is also running a $50 billion travel trade deficit, which means American travelers are spending more abroad than international travelers are spending within the United States. 

President Donald Trump was questioned by reporters about the declining international travel. He responded by saying, “It’s not a big deal.”

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