Global travel is surging, but tourists aren't coming to the US

Guno צְבִי

We fight, We win, Am Yisrael Chai
Despite more people taking international trips globally, the United States is losing ground as a top destination, according to new data.

Last year was one of the best years for the travel and tourism sector, with a 4.1% increase in gross domestic product growth, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC) latest economic impact research, sponsored by Chase Travel.

There were 80 million more international travelers in 2025 than in 2024. But many of them are skipping the United States for other locales.

Recent data by the NTTO also showed a 20% decline in Canadian travelers, or 4.2 million fewer visitors, once a major market for the United States.



Previous USA TODAY reporting found several reasons why international travelers are skipping the United
States. Among them are fears of border detainment and gun violence.

The drop in international visitors could spell trouble for the U.S. economy, as travel is one of the country's largest export services.


 
It is a major source of income for the economy.

Tourism also has a big impact on local economies. Ours is one of them, although most of our visitors are from other states. @Althea who lives in upstate New York has talked about how Canadian tourism has declined there and negatively affected the local economies across the state, and also into Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
 
Tourism also has a big impact on local economies. Ours is one of them, although most of our visitors are from other states. @Althea who lives in upstate New York has talked about how Canadian tourism has declined there and negatively affected the local economies across the state, and also into Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
I think Fla. was hit pretty hard in the cold weather as well. Mexico loves it.
 
Despite more people taking international trips globally, the United States is losing ground as a top destination, according to new data.

Last year was one of the best years for the travel and tourism sector, with a 4.1% increase in gross domestic product growth, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council's (WTTC) latest economic impact research, sponsored by Chase Travel.

There were 80 million more international travelers in 2025 than in 2024. But many of them are skipping the United States for other locales.

Recent data by the NTTO also showed a 20% decline in Canadian travelers, or 4.2 million fewer visitors, once a major market for the United States.



Previous USA TODAY reporting found several reasons why international travelers are skipping the United
States. Among them are fears of border detainment and gun violence.

The drop in international visitors could spell trouble for the U.S. economy, as travel is one of the country's largest export services.


Being accosted at airports was one reason. With legal immigrants and otherwise properly documented individuals being assaulted and arrested on the streets, why would anyone want to risk that?

Spite is a big reason as well. The world is teaching trump a little lesson in foreign policy. As if he's capable of learning anything.
 
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