Europeans and Canadians are mass canceling trips to the US due to Trump - FT.

The total number of foreign tourists visiting the US decreased by 12% in March compared to the same period last year. This is the largest drop since 2021, when restrictions due to COVID were in place.

Tourists from European countries have begun to cancel trips to the US due to political and economic turbulence caused by President Donald Trump, as well as fears regarding the border.

In March, the number of travelers from Western Europe who stayed in the US for at least one night decreased by 17% compared to the same period last year, according to data from the International Trade Administration (ITA), an agency within the US Department of Commerce. The number of trips from countries such as Ireland, Norway, and Germany declined by more than 20%.

Canadian travel agencies are also reporting a sharp decline. Vancouver's Travel Group reported a 90% decrease in bookings, while Travac Tours from Ottawa canceled all trips to the US until July. Analysts from Tourism Economics predict that this year the number of trips from Canada will decrease by 20%, resulting in losses of $3.4 billion.

Risk to the US tourism industry

The total number of foreign tourists visiting the US fell by 12% in March, according to ITA data. This sharp decline from March 2021, when restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic were in place, poses a threat to the US tourism industry, which accounts for 2.5% of the country's GDP. Some airlines and hotel chains are already warning of reduced demand for transatlantic travel.

“In just two months (Trump) destroyed the reputation of the US, as evidenced by the decline in trips from the EU. This is not only another terrible blow to the US economy but also reputational damage that could take generations to recover,” said Kayak co-founder Paul English. As noted by Tourism Economics president Adam Sacks, data from US airports and Canadian checkpoints show that “something is happening... and this is a reaction to Trump.”

At the same Time, state and city authorities claim they do not share the federal government's policies. “I think that overall, people from Canada and Europe know that New York is a welcoming place that is happy to see people from all over the world,” said Andrew Riggi, executive director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance. However, he acknowledges that more needs to be done to attract foreigners again and convince them that they will have a wonderful experience, regardless of national rhetoric.

White House press secretary Anna Kelly stated that Trump's plans to “make America rich, safe, and beautiful again” will benefit both Americans and foreign tourists. “New York will break tourism records once the Trump administration completes the deportation of illegal immigrants and those insane people who set passengers on fire in the subway?” - she is quoted by Politico.

Recall that according to The Washington Post, authorities plan to send 1 million migrants from the country within the first year of Trump's presidency.

Interestingly, Air Canada updated its information on canceled flights to the US as there has been a decline in demand from Canadians for trips to the United States.