Travel to the US Declines in July
In July, travel to the United States dropped by 3.1%. This follows a trend of monthly decreases linked to the Trump administration’s strict travel restrictions and ongoing intense trade negotiations.
Recent reductions have been notable, hitting 14.7%, 13.8%, and 12.7% due to sharp declines from travelers in Germany, China, and Switzerland. This data comes from the National Travel and Tourism Agency, which collaborates with the Department of Homeland Security and US Customs and Border Protection.
It’s worth noting that this data does not account for travel from Canada and Mexico, which are the largest sources of visitors to the US. Still, there has been some unexpected drop-off lately.
Canadians, for instance, have been canceling trips and expressing frustration over President Trump’s suggestion to annex Canada as the 51st state.
Furthermore, a report from Travel Trade Publication Skift indicates a 22% decrease in flights from Canada in June, alongside a 33% drop in car crossings.
I suppose April was a bit of an exception to this trend, likely because Easter was celebrated in that month instead of March. During April, overseas visitor numbers actually rose by 0.4%, but that was short-lived as the downward trend resumed.
Interestingly, six of the top 20 countries did see an increase in travel to the US. For example, in July, the Dominican Republic had a 9.1% rise, Spain 7.3%, Israel 6.3%, and Ireland 2.9%.
After the enactment of the “Big Beautiful Building” in April, funding for promoting the United States as a tourist destination took a significant hit.
Brand USA, the entity focused on encouraging travel to the US, faced an 80% reduction in its federal funding this year.
International visitors tend to be important for the economy, given they spend more money and typically have longer stays. According to the NTTO, one job in the US is supported for every 40 international travelers.
In light of these developments, Marriott International—the largest hotel chain worldwide—recently lowered its revenue and profit expectations due to slower demand for travel to US properties.
