WASHINGTON DC, KOMPAS.com – The policies and rhetoric of former U.S. President Donald Trump are beginning to cast a shadow over the American tourism sector, with recent data revealing a notable decline in European visitors to the United States.
According to the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), there was a 1% decrease in the number of tourists from Western Europe visiting the U.S. in February 2025, compared to the same period the previous year. This is a stark contrast to the previous year’s data, which saw a robust 14% increase during the same timeframe.
The steepest declines were observed from Slovenia (26%), followed by Switzerland and Belgium. Denmark also experienced a downturn, with tourist numbers decreasing by 6% after a 7% increase the year before.
Several factors appear to be contributing to this decline in tourism. Stricter immigration policies, escalating global trade tensions, and Trump’s controversial proposal to acquire Greenland have all played a role. The impact is real, with stories emerging of canceled travel plans, such as Kim Kugel Sorenson, a Danish citizen who scrapped his trip to California to attend a friend’s wedding.
While the U.S. sees a dip in European interest, neighboring Canada is reaping the benefits. German travel agency America Unlimited reports an unprecedented surge in tourists choosing Canada as their preferred vacation destination.
“Canada is experiencing a tourist boom like never before,” stated America Unlimited CEO Timo Kohlenberg. Some European travelers view their trips to Canada as a gesture of solidarity following Trump’s suggestion of making the country the 51st U.S. state.
Interestingly, Canadians themselves are increasingly avoiding travel to the U.S. Data from analytics firm Key Data reveals a significant 32% jump in vacation property bookings in Europe by Canadians for the June-August period compared to the previous year, signaling a shift in travel preferences.
Despite these challenges, some travel companies remain optimistic about the U.S. tourism market. TUI, Europe’s largest tour operator, anticipates that the number of German tourists visiting the U.S. will remain strong, particularly for city trips and campervan tours.
“We still expect more German tourists to travel to the U.S. than in 2024,” a TUI spokesperson stated. However, NTTO data paints a different picture, showing a 9% decrease in German tourist visits to the U.S. in February 2025, a sharp contrast to the 18% increase seen the previous year.
Adding to the uncertainty, both the British and German governments have updated their travel advisories for the U.S., highlighting increasingly stringent immigration regulations. Reports have surfaced of German citizens being detained at the U.S. border, raising concerns about unpredictable entry policies.
“Border checks are becoming more rigorous, and officers have more authority than many realize,” explained Maria del Carmen Ramos, an immigration lawyer at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP.
This downturn in European tourism could have significant economic consequences for the U.S., as international visitors typically spend seven to eight times more than domestic tourists. In 2023, European tourists spent approximately $155 billion (Rp 2,566 trillion) on travel to the U.S.
If this trend continues, the U.S. risks losing a vital source of revenue from its tourism sector, while countries like Canada and Mexico stand to gain from the ripple effects of Trump’s controversial policies.
Baca juga: Demokrat Desak Trump Batalkan Larangan Memasuki AS bagi 43 Negara
Baca juga: Kafe-kafe Kanada Ubah Nama Americano Jadi Canadiano, Bentuk Protes ke Trump
Baca juga: AS Deportasi 119 Migran Ilegal dari India
Ringkasan
European tourism to the United States has experienced a decline, as indicated by recent data from the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO). There was a 1% decrease in tourists from Western Europe in February 2025 compared to the previous year, a significant change from the 14% increase seen during the same period last year. Stricter immigration policies, global trade tensions, and controversial proposals are contributing to this downturn.
Canada is benefiting from this shift, experiencing a surge in European tourists. Simultaneously, Canadians are increasingly opting for European vacations. While some travel companies remain optimistic about U.S. tourism, updated travel advisories from European governments and reports of stricter border checks add to the uncertainty, potentially impacting U.S. tourism revenue.