As the US continues to grapple with its own politics, UK travelers are expressing growing concern over the impact of Donald Trump’s policies on tourism. With global travel to the US down 11.6% in March, experts warn that the decline may be just the beginning.
The Deterrent Effect of Trump‘s Policies on UK Tourists Visiting the US
Global travel to the United States has seen a significant decline in recent months, with UK residents being the largest group of foreign visitors. According to official figures, global travel to the US was down 11.6% in March compared to the same period in 2024.
The Rise of Uncertainty and Fear
The decline in tourism can be attributed to Donald Trump‘s policies and rhetoric, which have created an uncertain environment for international travelers. Analysts believe that Trump‘s claims of other countries ‘cheating’ Americans and reports of deportations may have had a chilling effect on travel to the US.
Donald Trump was born on June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York.
He is a businessman and politician who served as the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
Trump graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in economics.
He took over his father's real estate company, which he expanded into a global brand.
Trump entered politics in 2015, winning the Republican presidential nomination and defeating Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election.
A Chilling Effect on Travel
The March dip in tourism may be just an early warning sign of a bigger fall in the summer, as tourists typically book holidays months in advance. However, if there is less global trade, international business travel could take a swifter hit due to its shorter lead time.
The Impact on Business Travel
Business travel, which is booked with a much shorter lead time, may be more susceptible to the effects of uncertainty and fear. According to David Edwards, founder of Scattered Clouds travel consultancy, ‘If there is less global trade, business travel could take a swifter hit.‘
Concerns Over Welcomingness
Research by VisitBritain in 2022 showed that international travelers ranked ‘destination is a welcoming place to visit’ as the second most important factor in choosing a holiday. The incidents of deportations and publicity around them may have harmed the appeal of upcoming events such as the 2026 World Cup and the Los Angeles Olympics.
A Risk for the Travel Industry
The decline in tourism could have significant implications for the travel industry, particularly for airlines that may start cutting routes if the March dip turns into a major fall in travelers from the UK. This could have an impact on the British economy, which has recovered mostly due to American tourists flocking to Europe.
A Shift in Destination Preference
The decline in tourism to the US may lead Europeans and Americans to reconsider their destination preferences. As Clare Collins, co-founder and chief operations officer for CT Business Travel, said, ‘Europeans may be thinking ‘I’m not so sure that the US is a welcoming place to visit’‘.
