Dramatic Travel Decline Amid Global Uncertainty

I'm in Australia and absolutely nobody wants to go to the US. We usually have to book a long time in advance to get reasonable fares, and nobody trusts what Trump might be up to in a couple of months. It's not just the economy, people are worried about major social unrest or even war. The entire administration gives off dangerously crazy vibes.

I heard this morning that tourism to the West End outstripped tourism to Broadway by several million dollars for this last season. A sign of things to come?

Tom Costello just irritates me, I don't know why.

My travel is actually on the increase, as an American looking to get the hell out of the States any chance I get.

I don't blame them. This country is disgusting right now.

We really wanted to not be in the United States for the 4th of July, as there is nothing to celebrate and watching everyone go on with it like it’s business as normal here is just depressing. But our schedules decided that we’re going abroad in June instead. So I guess I’ll just draw the shades, wear black and get quietly drunk on Independence Day.

An enormous amount of money has been put into tourism since the pandemic as young people look to spend their excess money on experiences rather than goods

This is going to be the first thing people cut back on if they believe a recession is incipient

Devastating effect for the post-industrial economy

This goes against conventional wisdom (and basic common sense), but I've been thinking about buying a ticket to Europe this fall. I feel kind of fatalistic about it all: we are all the mercy of MAGA loons, so what can we do? Try to find ways we can be happy, at least for a little while

I'm ditching the US for Europe this summer. I'd rather spend my money there.. plus the food's better.

Why would I want to travel abroad if there's a real possibility I won't be able to get back into the United States.

The USA is now being run by a petty, bitchy, nasty, vindictive asshole with the emotional stability of a middle school mean girl. Who knows what vengeance this asshole will try to inflict on people, up to and including deny reentry into the US of citizens who he thinks don't like him. Easy way to get rid of political enemies is simply to deny them reentry into the US if they travel abroad.

[quote] Why would I want to travel abroad if there's a real possibility I won't be able to get back into the United States.

And vice-versa.

I honestly think that foreign travelers are terrified of coming to the United States, for fear of being detained and held by Customs and Immigration, for no good reason.

It has already happened to Canadians, British, and Germans.

Exactly, I'm an American living for some years in Europe and there's no circumstance that I can imagine that would see me visiting the U.S., for 4 years at least.

Not only the inconvenience and bad treatment and potential risk of travelling there, but, sad to say, the country has shown its true stripes. Again. And with vengeance this time.

I'll be happy never to visit the U.S. again (even if my entry and exit is as sure as anyone's.) What affection I retained for the place is gone. And many European friends, family, and acquaintances who never gave so much as a bad word or arched eyebrow about the U.S. are now openly disinterested or disapproving of the place and no one speaks of future travel there.

I hope Florida feels it the worst!

Palm Springs gets a ton of snowbirds, many of whom have second homes there. I've now read several articles about how Canadians are selling property and not booking Palm Springs vacations. The city is putting up tons of "Palm Springs (hearts) Canada" banners and signs, but it ain't moving the needle.

Maybe quite a few significance Air Plane crashes in the U.S. has also stymied consumer interest, Hmm

R14, multiple plane crashes; people getting abducted by ICE and treated like subhumans; an orange turd fomenting some new drama every day. Yeah, I'm not seeing the appeal of traveling here right now either.

Forbes reports a 70% drop in US-Canada summer flight bookings in March 2025 compared to March 2024.

On Spirit, however, things will be business as usual.

We have fucked around and now, finding out.

Does this mean there is a possibility of air fares dropping to entice reluctant travelers to hop on a plane and go somewhere?

I get it all. And I empathize. But please try not to get too crazy. We came to Canada this week to support folks up north with our travel $$. Flight up was 100% full. I’m sitting in a transborder lounge heading back right now which is jammed full, and the flight back is also just about full on the seat map. Pre clearance immigration experience was totally normal.

My only travel goal this year is to not spend a cent in a Red state.

R19, I'd planned a trip to Toronto in March but cancelled because the forecast for the weekend was rain and cold. I was also slightly concerned that Canadians might be a little less hospitable to Americans than customary. But if things are still business as usual in Canada maybe I'll try again this summer.

R20 Last night we went to a bar (at the Keg) and started talking to the couple next to us and got to tell them why we came. They were very smitten with us. By the time we left, the bartender and others around us were all engaged with us and so pleased. The couple shook our hands as we left and said “thank you so much”.

I was hoping to travel to England from the US this fall. But honestly, not sure how welcome I would be in Europe, considering the bullshit Trump has thrown to the world.

R22, nobody wants us right now. We're all walking around with a Scarlet A (for American).

Don't forget your Real I.D.

I hope it brings airfares down. Actually, I wish it would bring down the award travel mileage cost. The one-way awards to and from Europe when and where I want to go are way too high. I was able to get a Virgin Atlantic reward for a reasonable number of miles, but the return trip on United is high. It’s the American carriers that overcharge for rewards, but Delta of course being the worst.

I’ll add that I seeing some good Avios awards on Aer Lingus for this summer, which I might do for a long weekend trip to Dublin, but I really don’t care to go back to Dublin. I’d like to go to Lisbon, but may not to that until I tie it with a European cruise.

Anybody who gets on a plane or a helicopter in the US while this administration is in power is an idiot.

[quote] I was hoping to travel to England from the US this fall. But honestly, not sure how welcome I would be in Europe, considering the bullshit Trump has thrown to the world.

If you are getting that from the news, you have to expect that the news media is going to look for the most anti-American people in Europe they can find to interview. They may not represent the people you’ll interact with on a trip. On the other hand, I have no doubt that the long-standing, wide-spread hate that Canadians have for the U.S. is very real.

I agree about Canadians.

As I said in a thread a few weeks ago, this is a story that isn't getting enough coverage. I suspect it's because corporations are terrified of getting on Trump's bad side by complaining to the MSM.

Canadians don't want to come here at all. Many Europeans that want to come here for the usual things are too terrified of something fucking up to do so. And Americans themselves are cutting back due to the chaos and unpredictabil4 financial future.

Amsterdam is pretty chill, right? Like, the folks there won't be unkind to Americans?

I have plans to travel to Mexico City and Italy this year.

I've told all my international friends not to visit the US this year. A British couple I know come to the US annually. They love NYC and Miami. This year, they're absolutely not traveling to the US

I find most people don't hate Americans but they hate the American government.

[quote] Amsterdam is pretty chill, right? Like, the folks there won't be unkind to Americans?

if Anne Frank were alive, she'd beat you up on sight.

I will be going to Greece this Saturday. Just a week in mostly Athens. On a group tour. I had planned this months ago before I knew Trump would go full fascist.

R33 yes, same situation with Iranians. The people are lovely, the government is terrible. How the US has fallen.

Thanks a helluva lot, MAGAts!! And you just know that MAGAts aren't the ones who go traveling anyhow. They are provincial, hold no curiosity about other cultures or the rest of the world. I wouldn't be surprised if most of them have ever even left their own states, and if they have, "Florida" is what they consider an appealing vacation destination.

[quote] I will be going to Greece this Saturday. Just a week in mostly Athens.

I was there last year for the second time and am returning this year. Looking for things I haven’t done yet, I thought for a little while about a day trip, but I decided I didn’t want to waste time traveling to see more ruins. Having done all the top tier things in Athens already, I will visit some of the second tier museums this trip. I haven’t booked any tours yet, but I’m expecting to do an evening tour and maybe a dinner show.

We're going to Fiji next week, and possibly Italy in the fall. At least two other domestic trips this year.

[quote] We're going to Fiji next week, and possibly Italy in the fall.

I decided against going to Rome this year when I learned how busy it’s supposed to be with that big Catholic thing they’re doing this year,

Thanks, R40. I haven't kept up with the Church, but yes, it's a Jubilee Year.

Maybe England then.

A family from Spain just died in a helicopter crash in the Hudson River. You are gambling with your life when you come to the US.

........

Good burn it down and feel the pain cunts!!!! Retardeness is not nice.

Yes, I'm sure the Spanish tourists somehow deserved it in your sick mind.

Sorry, I thought this was the helicopter thread.

LOL - 10% of GDP of the magat capital of Florida (or is it Texas) is travel and tourism.

Of the $1.7 trillion, that's $170 billion. That's more than the entire GDP of one-third of the states.

Enjoy.

It will be good for Florida to diversify more and bring in new industry to secure a better future.

R13 - about 1/3 of the snowbirds in the Coachella Valley are Canadian - I remember reading that a few years ago, so it could be really devastating. But maybe home prices will drop a bit.

For Florida, unfortunately only 6% of their visitors are international. However, they have to spend more $ than domestic visitors, particularly those that just come for a weekend. They contribute 12% of tourism dollars.

12% drop is a LOT - everyone will feel it.

Literally everything Trump does turns to complete shit for everybody but him.

I would guess the Rs in Florida are thinking "This will all blow over by next winter."

I’m in Mérida right now. The Mexicans I’ve met could not be more friendly and hospitable.

[quote]sad to say, the country has shown its true stripes.

Maybe you've been out of the country for a while, but Americans are not by nature right-wing and there is majority disapproval of what the government is doing. It's inaccurate to say the country is showing its "true stripes." We're the victims of (a) our lack of a multi-party parliamentary system that can push out unpopular politicians (cf. Liz Truss) and (b) a complacent political/financial/journalism elite.

Australian with working visa detained and deported on returning to US from sister’s memorial

Man who says he had previously left and re-entered the country multiple times alleges border officials called him ‘retarded’ and boasted ‘Trump is back in town’

[quote]The disaster began at border control in transit in Houston, Texas, when he was pulled aside and taken to a “secondary” room, he says. Posters hanging on the walls that had once celebrated diversity, equity and inclusion, had been crudely updated with a black marker pen, with mentions of DEI scribbled out.

That's odd that there were DEI posters in a border patrol interrogation room.

Yup—sounds off.

I feel our innocence slipping away,

don't believe it's comin' back soon.

I work in tourism in New Zealand. All the USA tourists that are coming to our tour company are wearing anti trump tshirts now, presumably to avoid any backlash.

Nobody here wants to reciprocate and go to the USA ever again and we have a lot of European tourists who say they cancelled USA trips and came here instead.

It’s smart not to come to the US now especially to any red state. Florida should be target number one. But I doubt Americans would give foreign visitors anything but a warm welcome . Ditto Americans traveling abroad. This is a Trump created problem not real bad feeling between normally friendly nations.

Another Australian article.

"Experts quoted in the US mainstream media have warned that with enhanced vetting by US border officials now in full force, electronic items such as laptops, tablets and even smartphones are probably best left at home.

If you must take a smartphone, some experts recommend travellers leave their existing device at home and opt for a fresh, so-called “burner” phone – a cheap pre-paid device with no history of calls or content on it that could lead you to being detained or deported back to Australia by US border officials."

[quote]If you must take a smartphone, some experts recommend travellers leave their existing device at home and opt for a fresh, so-called “burner” phone – a cheap pre-paid device with no history of calls or content on it that could lead you to being detained or deported back to Australia by US border officials.

Or you could just delete your nudes and political commentary off your phone before making the trip.

[quote]I feel our innocence slipping away,

Innocence, R56? What a fucking laugh.

The US has spent a century insisting it's the center of the fucking universe and that the rest of the world are poor primitives ungrateful for their good fortune to be allowed to share the same planet.

the US is trying to ruin the rest of the world

innocence? after the Iraq war?

R60 sounds a thousand years old? Puritan and compliant.

[quote]I feel our innocence slipping away,

Too late

You do know that "innocence" line is from a song, don't you? A song you should all know?!?

If you don't know it, here it is. It was [bold]yuge[/bold] in the gay bars back in the day, and practically a gay anthem.

R1 back again. New stats in this morning: there was an 8% fall in traveller numbers this March compared with last March. That's the biggest fall since Covid. Total overseas arrivals to the US fell 11.6%, measured the same way.

Sorry, I should have specified that was a fall in traveller numbers from Australia.

The total arrivals to the US number is from everywhere.

It also must be said, likely most of us posting “well I’m still traveling” are not among the racial or ethnic groups that ICE has in its target sights.

A Brazilian friend here in NJ finally got her green card last year — but now is far too scared to visit family in Brazil, because of what might happen when she tries to reenter the US. She’s been living here 26 years. Extended family in both places.

I posted this on another thread a few weeks ago, but this is an update:

A very good friend of mine works for a very popular hotel on Martha's Vineyard from January - April, booking reservations from May - September. As she told me a few weeks ago, traditionally by the third week of March all the reservations are booked for July and August. The month of April she booked 'straggler's who would take anything open in May, June or September - anything at all.

As of yesterday, the middle of April, she says reservations are off between 20 -25% this summer. There are plenty of nights opened throughout the summer - even July and August. What's missing are the Canadians - the ones who would traditionally book a week or even two at the hotel. Not happening this year; no Canadians are booking on MV. Even those coming from CT-NY-NJ, who usually book at least a week - they're booking just two or three nights. Reservations are also off with overseas tourists - hardly any bookings this year from the UK. As she pointed out, the hotel owners haven't even raised prices from last summer (though their expenses have gone up) just to fill the hotel - still not happening.

(Again, they are hearing the same reports from other hotels, B&Bs, restaurants and the Port Authority - who is usually booked for car reservations for the summer by now).

Those Atlantis Events gay cruises are still selling out largely.

[quote]Those Atlantis Events gay cruises are still selling out largely.

Actually, they're not.

There's a cruise over Memorial Day weekend that's not even close to sold out, and it's been heavily discounted. Of all the cruises Atlantis currently has open for public sale, only one of their Mediterranean cruises and the New Years' Tahiti luxury cruise are sold out. So, neither that starts and ends in the US, and the latter only has a capacity for about 1400 people.

The other cruises, which have capacities for about 3000 total, still have availability. The real test will be when they announce their circuit party cruise for 2026, because that gets the biggest international crowd.

The number of cross-border travellers going from Canada to the U.S. dropped by nearly 900,000 in March compared to the same month last year.

I wonder what this will mean for the World Cup next year. It's not just ticketed folks who travel for it. I'm kind of hoping FIFA will just move the scheduled U.S. matches to Canada and Mexico. I suppose we'll know by end of summer if things stabilize.

Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a tourism campaign on Monday urging Canadians to “come experience our California Love” after seeing a dip in in visits from the United State’s northern neighbors who say they’ve been alienated by President Trump’s policies.

In a video posted on social media, Newsom focuses on the allure of the Golden State while distancing it from Trump’s administration. “Sure, you-know-who is trying to stir things up back in D.C., but don’t let that ruin your beach plans,” Newsom says, as images of the Golden Gate Bridge and a woman flying a kite on a beach appeared on the video.

“California is the ultimate playground — over 2,000 miles from Washington and a world away in mindset, from our iconic beaches and national parks to world-class wine, food, and outdoor adventure — there’s something here for everyone,” he adds.

Canadian tourism in California was down 12% in February compared to the same month in 2024, the first decline since the pandemic, according to the governor’s office. Many Canadians are citing concerns about Trump’s policies as their reason for nixing trips.

I'm in RI, so for the heck of it, I looked on-line to see if I can still get hotel reservations in our two popular summer spots: Block Island and Newport (again, everything is usually booked solid by mid-April). There are plenty of reservations open right now for the whole summer in both destinations. Like MV, we get mostly Canadians, UK tourists and the CT-NY-NJ travelers all summer long.

R1 again. We Aussies are now being absolutely bombarded with "Visit the USA" commercials on YouTube.

Australians are very keen overseas travellers and they like to have fun (aka spend money) when they travel, so it gives me great pleasure to see that the present administration has made such an own-goal.

r77 Who pays for these ads, I wonder?

[quote] Who pays for these ads

Brand USA

Interesting. Had a feeling it wasn't the Department of Tourism because I know you don't have such a thing, even though it's very common in other countries.

Another Australian here. As a gay man who is highly critical of Trump and what the Trump administration are doing to the US - under no circumstances would I consider visiting the US at the moment and I don't know anyone who would. There are so many reasons why and I don't see any of those reasons changing any time soon.

I know Canadians, Brits and Europeans around the globe (family/friends) who are saying the same thing. The other important point to make is that I'm not sure that Americans actually understand how furious and disgusted Canadians, Brits and Europeans are with the political situation and the American people. It can't be repaired and they are all moving on in the interests of their own countries.

I'm an American living in Europe and have discouraged European friends from their plans to visit the US. It's disappointing, but more importantly, now is not the time.

The billionaire techbros don't have tourism portfolios, I assume, so don't care.

[quote]the number of UK residents visiting the US was down 14.3% in March compared with the same month in 2024

[quote]visitors from western Europe who stayed at least one night in the US were down 17% in March, year-on-year. German visitors were down 28.2% and Spanish ones down 24.6% compared with 2024. Overall, global travel to the US was down 11.6%. UK residents make up the largest number of overseas visitors to the US, with 3.9 million a year.

R1 again. On the news tonight--airfares from Australia to the US are about to drop significantly owing to the drastic decline in demand.

Regarding this, how do you all think this will affect the upcoming Olympics and Soccer World Cup.

Florida was already having problems with tourists - particularly Disney - due to high prices and nickel-and-diming. People weren't returning as often.

Same thing in Vegas - a lot of thread about that on social media where people are just permanently turned off from Vegas due to resort fees, parking fees, $25 min tables and outrageous food prices ($40 for a burger, $25 for chicken nuggets), etc.

All of these places playing with the 'let's see how much we can charge before they break' mentality is going to ruin these places for good.

Once you turn a loyal and frequent customer off - they're gone for a LONG time. All that $$ spent to get them there and location/brand loyalty is done. Same thing for fast food and for the price gouging in grocery stores (chips, cereal, eggs, etc.).

God damn FOOLS. And the executives will just keep cutting staff instead of their own salaries or changing policies - making service worse, and exacerbating the problem.

[quote] Regarding this, how do you all think this will affect the upcoming Olympics and Soccer World Cup.

I’m hoping it will make it easier and cheaper for Americans to see the Olympics in person. Europeans and Asians can wait until the next time they host the games. Unfortunately, it will be on the opposite side of the country from where most people live, which will make it harder for most people to get there.

Well,.no shit. No trip to NYC this year for me. Maybe never again.

I checked Aer Lingus business class fares from Dublin to Boston and New York, and they're unusually cheap (well, relatively) right now.

I’m traveling to Europe next month and I keep checking the price to see if it goes down (I always do that for every trip for all my travel expenses, to rebook for lower), but the flight prices keep rising, a lot.

That's why the rules of supply and demand no longer apply, R91. If demand for airline seats falls, conventional economics dictates ticket prices will fall. But that won't happen. The airlines will increase ticket prices to compensate for the decreased demand.

It's New Rules for Economics. Automakers found that out during Covid. Demand decreased sharply but automakers profits soared because they charged much, much more for the vehicles they were selling. Soon, every consumer goods manufacturer, especially food companies, we doing the same: making up for decreased volume by increasing pricing. See: Kellogg's for a prime example.

and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris paid for corporate greed with their political lives.

For R91

Are Americans traveling outside the country less as well? I’m looking at the seat map for my flight to London in a few days and it looks half empty.

[quote]I’m looking at the seat map for my flight to London in a few days and it looks half empty.

People avoiding the high fees and high costs of traveling to London. I just looked at the seat map for my flight to Europe (not London) in May and I see there are 168 seats in Economy and only 12 aren't selected yet. Interestingly, I'm on the aisle of the four across in the center and the two middle seats next to me are still open, with the seat on the other aisle taken. That sucks because the people who take the middle seats are now likely to bother me to go to the restroom in the middle of the night. I could be lucky have and no one in those seats when the flight takes off, but I think I will.

I’m surprised that even US domestic travel is stalling. People know there’s a recession coming.

All this economic chaos created within 3 months by Trump himself

[Quote] No trip to NYC this year for me.

At least you’ll save the $1200 ticket to [insert stupid jukebox musical to attracts very stupid tourists] here.

On the return flight from Europe to the U.S.A., I see 253 economy seats with 10 regular economy not taken and 34 preferred and economy plus not taken yet. It's only three across in the center on that flight and again the two seats next to me are empty. I bought preferred, which stinks when the airline gives the remaining preferred seats out for free when people check in who don't already have seat assignments. I saw that last year where the four (preferred) rows in front of me on the seat map the day before the flight showed as almost all empty, and then when I boarded there were people in all the seats.

[Quote] Regarding this, how do you all think this will affect the upcoming Olympics and Soccer World Cup.

If they’re checking every tourists social media upon landing in the US and arresting those who don’t adore Trump, I’d figure everyone will avoid the US

If I were a resident of any other Western nation, like of the same class and status, there is no way in Hell I would come to the US right now. I’d have to be a journalist and doing so as my profession. The US is fucked right now.

R92 is right - instead of reducing prices, they increase the prices on hotel rooms/flights/etc. so that the per bed/seat profit is much higher. They also will reduce hotel maintenance staff because of fewer occupied rooms.

But there's a certain point where that all fails - particularly for a long duration.

I went to Vegas recently for work. 70 empty seats going and 60 coming back, and this was a domestic flight at a time when Las Vegas had good weather.

I had reason to go through the Atlanta check-in area twice this week. (A sad story). Whenever I have previously gone through that circle of hell before, the entire huge square room has been packed with bodies going in endless stanchion-mazes being herded to the 5 or 6 Tsa employees checking IDs. Minimum 45 minutes and one hour not unheard of. . Both days this week, less than 15 minutes - only 3 or 4 loop backs of bodies. Shocking to see what a reduction in traffic at that enormous airport.

Recent numbers from Ireland, one of the countries in the world (certainly in Europe) with the closest ties to the United States (virtually every Irish person has relatives or friends living over there).

[quote]I had reason to go through the Atlanta check-in area twice this week. (A sad story).

I'm looking forward to seeing what happens to people who show up without REAL ID. It's satisfying to see people face the consequences of not preparing or not following the rules.

Australians are avoiding travelling to the US because of the authoritarian Trump regime.

Passengers from Ireland to the U.S. actually clear U.S. customs (border pre-clearance) at Dublin or Shannon Airport, which is far less stressful or intimidating than doing so on arrival in the U.S. They enter the country as domestic passengers.

The American customs officers who live in Ireland have adapted a bit and are friendlier and more laid back, more like the Irish. So, if it's not stress about the possibility of detention that is putting people off, it's more likely the regime.

JetBlue has decided not to start service to Halifax, but I hope they will take the opportunity then to add more cities in the U.S. farther west than their main service area.