(Do not) Come as you are
If it was already challenging for many travelers to cross US customs recently, entry to the country is unlikely to get any easier in the near future. On the contrary, Trump has recently announced a travel ban to the United States for nationals from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, the Republic of Congo, Iran, and Sudan.
This radical decision has sparked outrage and raises questions, especially considering the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
While these travelers may no longer be welcome in the land of Uncle Sam, those who still are are increasingly reluctant to travel. According to NTTO (National Travel and Tourism Office) figures, the number of French tourists has dropped by 8.3% compared to 2024 since the beginning of the year.
In April alone, this decline reached 12%. “This decrease is consistent with previous feedback from the industry,” explains William Mondello, President of Brand USA.
This disaffection is even affecting the country’s flagship destination: New York. According to a report published by New York City Tourism and Conventions, the city is expected to welcome 400,000 fewer tourists than in 2024. Tourism office projections have been revised down from 67.6 million to 64.1 million visitors.
A significant loss for Uncle Sam
The decline in international tourist arrivals could result in a loss of revenue of around $12.5 billion, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The United States would be the only country in the WTTC panel to see a decrease in foreign visitor spending in 2025.
Tourism represents a substantial financial boon for the country, contributing $2.6 trillion to the US economy in 2024. However, this source of income has been significantly dwindling since Trump’s return to power. In fact, revenues from international tourism are…
