Global travelers are turning away from the United States, leading to a sharp downturn in international tourism. Recent data from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration shows that the number of international visitors—excluding those from Canada and Mexico—dropped by 2 percent in February and a steep 12 percent in March.
Canadian travelers, who make up about a quarter of all foreign visitors to the U.S., are still the largest group, but even their numbers are slowing down. Mexico, the second-largest source of visitors, saw a massive 23 percent decrease in air arrivals to the U.S. in March compared to last year.
A new report from Tourism Economics, part of Oxford Economics, suggests that this trend could cost the U.S. tourism industry up to $64 billion by 2025. Released on February 27, the report drastically lowered earlier predictions, now expecting a 5.1 percent decline in visits instead of an 8.8 percent increase they had forecasted before.
This significant downturn raises questions about what’s causing global visitors to steer clear of the U.S. Factors could include strict visa policies, global economic uncertainties, or competition from other destinations. For young people in the Global South dreaming of travel, shifting tourism trends might open up new opportunities in other countries as the global travel landscape changes.
