by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 10:05 AM ET, Thu April 24, 2025
International inbound travel to the United States continues to falter, with foreign air arrivals down nearly 10% year-over-year in March and 13% below 2019 levels, according to the International Trade Administration.
Hard Pass
In data reported by The Times, European travel to the U.S. fell by 17% compared to last year, with some markets declining by over 40%.
Analysts cite a growing perception of political instability, border enforcement controversies, and what some travellers see as a less welcoming climate under President Donald Trump.
Trump’s Response? Shrug Emoji
Trump has publicly downplayed the trend, attributing the drop to “a little nationalism” and calling it “not a big deal” during a recent Oval Office press briefing.
But industry leaders warn the long-term implications are anything but negligible. A modest 0.1% dip in GDP due to reduced tourism could translate to $29 billion in lost economic activity.
When asked if tourists might feel uneasy due to recent detentions, Trump dismissed the concern.
"No, we treat our tourists great. We are the tourism capital of the world.
"There’s no place like this and there may be a little bit of nationalism, but I doubt it,” he said.
"And I can see it likewise with us—not wanting to go to certain countries. But that’ll work out very easily."
“Everything Was Going So Bloody Well”
Virgin Atlantic founder Sir Richard Branson didn’t mince words, calling Trump’s influence “erratic” and “awful for everyone” in a recent interview with The Guardian.
Branson said many Americans share his concerns, adding: “It’s a pity—things were going so bloody well up to about three months ago.”
Virgin Atlantic recently launched daily flights from Toronto Pearson to London Heathrow, marking its first Canadian route since 2014.
But even airlines with global ambitions are feeling the headwinds.
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