President Donald Trump’s tariff war shows no signs of slowing — at least not until he changes course, as he did with the so-called 90-day pause that excluded everyone but China, now facing tariffs as high as 145%.
Then came the exemptions for certain electronics … Then came the announcement that the tariffs were “temporary,” according to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
If you’re feeling whiplash, you’re not alone.
The chaos isn’t just reshaping grocery bills — it’s also derailing U.S. travel.
Here’s how.
Canada
Or as I like to refer to it: America’s hat.
U.S.-bound leisure travel dropped 40% in March 2025 vs. March 2024.
Mexico
Air visitors to the U.S. fell 23% year-over-year in March 2025.
Europe
Inbound U.S. travel from European countries declined 17% year-over-year.
Total Overseas Arrivals
7.1 million visitors entered the U.S. Jan–March 2025, down 3.3% from 2024.
Overall International Inbound
A consistent downward trend began in early 2025, tied to trade rhetoric and visa delays.
Top Visitor Drop-offs
The sharpest declines were seen in Canada, UK, France, Mexico, and Germany.
International Travel Spending (Inbound)
Expected to hit $198 billion in 2025, down from early 2024 projections.
Outbound U.S. Travel
Americans projected to spend $215.4 billion abroad in 2025—an increase, suggesting domestic detraction.
Business Travel
International conference attendance in the U.S. dropped sharply due to visa uncertainties.
Tourism Sector Response
Major cities like NYC and LA report drops in hotel bookings, citing “policy-driven cooling.”
Bottom line
U.S. travel is taking a direct hit as international tourists reconsider their plans.
From steep declines in Canadian and Mexican visits to a broader pullback from Europe, the data points to a chilling effect tied to renewed trade tensions and unpredictable visa policies.
With billions in revenue at stake, cities and businesses that rely on global tourism now face a sharp economic recalibration.
