【By Observer Net, Wang Yong, Editor: Zhao Qiankun】

According to a report by the British magazine The Economist, the number of foreign tourists traveling to the United States has sharply declined since March this year. In April, the number of foreign tourists temporarily increased due to Easter, but compared with the first quarter of 2024, the number of foreign tourists entering the United States decreased by 3.8%, or 1.3 million people.

From May to July this year, the number of foreign tourists traveling to the United States fell by 5.5%, which is contrary to the global trend of booming tourism.

The decline in Canadian tourists was the most significant. So far this year, the number of Canadian tourists entering the United States through airports has dropped by 7.4%, and the number of Canadian tourists entering through the border has fallen even more significantly, decreasing by one-third compared to last year. After the Trump administration raised tariffs on countries including Canada, and threatened to "annex" Canada, many Canadians have started to boycott American goods and avoid traveling to the United States.

According to Fox News, the U.S. tourism industry is facing its most severe challenges in decades, as travelers from major source markets around the world, including Canada, the UK, China, Germany, Brazil, and Mexico, are abandoning their plans to visit the U.S. The main reasons for the current situation are the strict screening of incoming personnel by the Trump administration, an unstable political and economic environment, visa policies, and continuously increasing visa fees.

Additionally, the new "Visa Integrity Fee" policy that will take effect on October 1st will require most travelers from countries and regions to pay at least $250 (approximately 1,782.9 RMB). This new fee may further reduce the appeal of the U.S. in the global tourism market.

This summer, the number of international tourists at Boston Logan Airport and Chicago O'Hare Airport decreased by about 8% compared to the same period last year, while the number of international tourists at New York's JFK Airport dropped by 7%.

The report stated that from May to July, the number of flight bookings for travelers heading to the U.S. decreased by 11%, with the most significant declines in bookings from European and Canadian tourists, exceeding 10% and 33%, respectively.

According to the Travel Pulse website, the U.S. hotel industry experienced negative growth in revenue in June and July, with continuous declines in occupancy rates, average daily rates, and revenue per available room.

The report noted that this downward trend is not surprising, as the Trump administration's visa policies and actions such as deporting and detaining legal immigrants, combined with tariff policies causing economic uncertainty, have led to a general decline in public confidence in tourism spending.

According to a September 1st report by the international tourism media publication "Travel and Tourism World," the series of foreign policies implemented by the Trump administration have created an unattractive image of the U.S. as a travel destination, leading to a loss of interest among most travelers from countries including Canada, the UK, Germany, China, France, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.

The report mentioned that according to statistical data from the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) under the U.S. Department of Commerce, China was one of the important markets for U.S. travel in the Asia-Pacific region. However, since 2025, the number of Chinese tourists visiting the U.S. has decreased by 20% compared to the previous year. Many Chinese tourists have chosen other destinations such as Southeast Asia or Europe, which are cheaper and more convenient. The decrease in Chinese tourists has greatly affected the tourism development of cities like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles in the U.S.

According to The Guardian, several internationally renowned artists had planned to hold performances in New York this year, but all canceled them just a few weeks before the event began. "Previous reports showed that tourists face strict inspections upon arrival in the U.S., or are mysteriously detained. There are concerns about safety when traveling to the U.S."

The report mentioned that in March this year, a French scientist was denied entry and deported after his phone was searched, as it contained content criticizing Trump; in May, the Trump administration arbitrarily revoked the temporary legal residency status of approximately 500,000 people; in June, tourists from Australia, Germany, the UK, and other countries were detained or deported for various "strange reasons." Additionally, as of August 18th this year, the Trump administration has canceled over 6,000 student visas, with some students being detained or sent back to their home countries.

In many countries such as Australia, Canada, and France, governments have issued advisories reminding citizens traveling to the U.S. about the possibility of their electronic devices being searched by U.S. border officials. As a result, people have had to check their social media content, delete photos and related information from their phones, and even carry "one-time" phones to protect themselves. In Canada, multiple organizations have reminded employees to avoid traveling to the U.S. as much as possible. If they do travel, they are advised to leave their regular devices at home and only bring a backup device.

The report stated that a professor of international law at the Australian National University said he no longer accepts speaking invitations from the U.S., fearing detention or being denied entry. "Many of my friends who had originally planned to travel to the U.S. are now re-evaluating their travel, family visits, academic activities, and work-related travel plans. In many ways, the U.S. has lost the favor of people."

Earlier, CNBC reported that global tourists are abandoning the U.S. According to data from Oxford Economics, the number of foreign tourists visiting the U.S. this year is expected to fall by about 9%, with consumption projected to decrease by $8.5 billion (approximately 60.7 billion RMB), a decrease of about 5% compared to last year.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) stated that it is estimated that the U.S. economy will lose $12.5 billion (approximately 89.2 billion RMB) in 2025 due to reduced consumer spending by international tourists, which will be a "heavy blow" to U.S. economic growth. The policies of the Trump administration have led to a trend where international tourists are choosing to abandon the U.S. as a travel destination, affecting community development, employment, and business growth in various parts of the U.S., and also producing long-term negative impacts globally.

This article is an exclusive piece by Observer Net. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7545060353793606183/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author. Please express your opinion by clicking on the 【Like/Dislike】 button below.