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US is facing a severe collapse in international tourism as countries like Mexico, Canada, Germany, Spain, the UK, France, Belgium, Sweden, and others dramatically reduce travel to America.
The sharp decline is fueled by growing discontent over President Trump’s immigration crackdowns, increasingly hostile border policies, and escalating trade wars that have made the U.S. both less welcoming and more expensive for foreign visitors. A powerful tourism boycott storm is sweeping across key global markets, with new data confirming that these political and economic tensions are now shattering traditional travel flows to the United States.
Mexico: A Troubling Shift From America’s Second Largest Visitor Market
Mexico’s departure from its historic travel patterns is among the most alarming. As the United States’ second-largest source of visitors, the country’s 6% drop in air travel to the U.S. compared to 2024 represents a significant setback. Tightening border regulations, heightened visa processing delays, and growing concerns over potential entry denials have dissuaded many Mexicans from traveling north. In a relationship once marked by fluid, frequent tourism, the Trump administration’s rhetoric and immigration crackdowns have fostered hesitation and resentment, causing major disruptions in cross-border travel patterns.
Canada: A Longstanding Ally Turns Cautious
Canada’s tourism relationship with the United States has historically been close and robust. However, Canadian travelers are now increasingly rethinking trips to their southern neighbor. Travel agencies have reported declining bookings, and anecdotal evidence points to Canadians selling off their winter properties in Florida and Arizona, avoiding the U.S. altogether. President Trump’s provocative remarks — including calling Canada the “51st state” — combined with punitive tariffs and strained diplomatic relations, have chilled Canadian sentiment and directly contributed to a sharp contraction in cross-border tourism flows.
Germany: A Sharp and Public Withdrawal
Germany’s travel pullback has been one of the most visible among European nations. German arrivals by air to the U.S. plummeted by 28.5% in March 2025 compared to the same period the previous year, representing over 52,000 lost visitors. The German Foreign Ministry has issued strong travel advisories warning citizens about strict U.S. immigration enforcement. Multiple incidents, including the detention and deportation of German tourists with valid travel documents, have further fueled public concern. These developments have tarnished the United States’ image among Germans and bolstered calls for a broader boycott of U.S. travel.
Spain: Disappointment Among an Enthusiastic Visitor Base
Spain, traditionally one of the strongest European markets for U.S. tourism, has also scaled back significantly. Spanish arrivals declined by 24.5% in March 2025, equating to nearly 20,000 fewer visitors in a single month. Political tensions, strict visa enforcement, and a rising cost of visiting the U.S. due to trade tariffs have discouraged Spanish tourists. Sentiment in Spain increasingly views traveling to the U.S. as both expensive and politically distasteful, especially among younger travelers who are particularly sensitive to global human rights and immigration issues.
United Kingdom: An Eroding Special Relationship
The United Kingdom’s travel decline to the United States has been steep and symbolic. British arrivals dropped by 14.8% in March 2025, representing 45,800 fewer visitors. The British government has updated its official travel advice, warning its citizens to be cautious due to “strict immigration enforcement” at U.S. ports of entry. The perception that travelers could face detention or deportation over minor visa issues has bred deep apprehension among British citizens. Once considered a cornerstone of U.S.-Europe tourism, the “special relationship” now appears strained under the current American administration.
France: A Cultural Powerhouse Turns Away
France, home to one of the world’s most powerful tourism cultures, has seen a marked decrease in its citizens visiting the United States. French travel firms such as Accor Hotels and Voyageurs du Monde reported steep drops in U.S. bookings — 25% and 20% respectively. French travelers, known for their cultural and political awareness, are reacting to the United States’ increasingly isolationist stance. French media have portrayed America as unpredictable and unwelcoming, solidifying a growing preference among French tourists to visit other destinations like Canada, Egypt, or Latin America instead.
Belgium: A Cautious Middle Power Rethinks Travel
Belgium, while smaller in tourist numbers compared to larger European nations, plays a significant role as a bellwether for broader European sentiment. Belgian travelers, particularly from Brussels and Antwerp, have been opting out of U.S. trips in greater numbers. Citing concerns about border treatment and the Trump administration’s combative tone toward the European Union, Belgians are increasingly redirecting their travel plans toward other international destinations perceived as more welcoming and politically stable.
Sweden: Travel Decline Backed by Ethical Concerns
Sweden’s travel patterns offer another important perspective. Known for its strong commitment to human rights and democratic values, Sweden has seen a notable decline in travel interest toward the United States in 2025. Swedish academics and tourism analysts, such as Stefan Gössling from Linnaeus University, point out that many Swedes now view visiting the U.S. as supporting a regime seen as dismantling democratic norms. Ethical boycotts of U.S. products and services are gaining popularity in Sweden, and tourism is increasingly viewed as a political act.
Latin America: A Regional Shift Away from US
Latin America, traditionally a strong source of U.S. visitors, is also cooling toward America’s shores. Central America and the Caribbean posted sharp 26% declines in visitors to the U.S. during March 2025. Countries once eager to send tourists north are now deterred by tightened visa processes, harsh immigration narratives, and growing economic instability caused by U.S. trade actions. As relations fray, Latin American tourists are choosing to explore intra-regional travel opportunities, supporting their local economies instead of visiting the United States.
The Broader Global Picture: Mounting Losses for US Tourism
he declines are not isolated. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, global international arrivals to the United States dropped by 11.6% in March 2025 compared to the previous year. Only the Middle East and Eastern Europe showed minor increases, with all other regions — including Africa, Western Europe, and Latin America — posting steep declines.
This massive erosion of inbound tourism signals a broader shift. Industry leaders warn that the U.S. may no longer be seen as an aspirational travel destination but rather as a politically charged and risky choice for global travelers.
The Economic Impact: Billions in Revenue Lost
Tourism Economics projects that the current trend will result in a $10 billion loss in international travel spending compared to 2024. These losses affect not just airlines and hotels but ripple across the wider economy, impacting restaurants, retailers, entertainment venues, and transportation services.
Cities heavily reliant on international tourism, such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Orlando, are bracing for revenue shortfalls, budget tightening, and potential layoffs. Meanwhile, states like Florida, Texas, and California face compounding fiscal challenges just as they seek to rebuild post-pandemic stability.
Domestic Tourism Falters Amid Political Uncertainty
Compounding the foreign tourism slump, domestic travel within the U.S. is also weakening. A survey conducted by MMGY Global revealed that 80% of Americans reported adjusting their 2025 travel plans due to rising economic uncertainty linked to Trump’s trade policies and broader political instability.
This double blow — declining foreign visitors combined with hesitant domestic travelers — presents a formidable challenge for the U.S. tourism and hospitality sectors.
Experts Sound the Alarm: Boycott Movement May Expand
Tourism and hospitality experts warn that the current boycott storm could worsen if political tensions continue. Richard Butler, professor at Strathclyde Business School, emphasized that “the drop in visitors is not accidental but a direct response to presidential policies.”
In parallel, Stefan Gössling from Sweden predicts that tourism boycotts may spread further as international sentiment against U.S. policies intensifies. He warns that the damage to the “Brand USA” could take years to repair if corrective action is not taken soon.
Driven by Trump’s harsh immigration policies and escalating trade turmoil, Mexico, Canada, Germany, Spain, the UK, France, Belgium, Sweden, and others are fueling a global tourism boycott that is now shattering US travel flows, according to new reports.
A Critical Moment for US Tourism
The dramatic declines in travel from Mexico, Canada, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Sweden, and Latin America signal a historic turning point for American tourism. President Trump’s immigration crackdowns and trade wars have created a perception of hostility that is driving away millions of travelers — and billions of dollars.
If the current administration does not address these concerns, the Tourism Boycott Storm of 2025 could permanently reshape the United States’ place in the global tourism landscape, undermining one of its most crucial and culturally influential industries.
The U.S. now stands at a crossroads: rebuild trust and openness — or face an era of prolonged isolation from the world’s travelers.
