European and Canadian travelers are rethinking their summer plans to the United States, with recent reports indicating a significant decline in trip bookings. Travel industry analysts attribute this drop to policy concerns and shifting sentiments toward U.S. leadership.
According to a report by Tourism Economics, a part of Oxford Economics, flight bookings from Europe to the U.S. are down by 10% during this summer season. The trend is even more pronounced among Canadian travelers, with bookings from May to July plummeting by 33%.
As of April, international inbound bookings to the U.S. for May had decreased by 9.5% compared to the previous year. Planned trips for June and July showed declines of 10.8% and 13%, respectively, highlighting a consistent downward trend.
The report forecasts that international arrivals to the U.S. could decline by 8.7% in the coming years, potentially decreasing international visitor spending by $8.5 billion, a 4.7% drop from last year. “These declines mark a stark contrast to our prior expectations for a continuation of post-pandemic growth this year,” the company stated.
Experts suggest that policy decisions, including trade tariffs on longstanding partners like Canada and the European Union, have contributed to these “sentiment headwinds.” Additionally, well-publicized border incidents and national advisories warning of the risks of traveling to the U.S. have also influenced international travelers’ decisions.
The shift in travel patterns underscores the interconnectedness of global politics and tourism. As countries navigate complex international relations, these dynamics can have tangible impacts on industries and individuals worldwide.
