The US was all set for an exciting year in 2026, marking the 100th anniversary of Route 66, the 250th independence celebration, and co-hosting the FIFA World Cup. However, political changes under President Donald Trump are causing tourists to rethink their travel plans.
Since taking office again in January 2025, Trump’s administration has enacted tariffs against allies, made threats to annex Canada, detained foreign travelers at the border, and initiated large-scale deportations. There have even been discussions about monitoring tourists’ social media accounts.
As a result, many countries issued travel alerts, leading to a significant drop in international visitor spending in the US-an estimated $12.5 billion loss in 2025 according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. Nearly half of those surveyed said they were less inclined to visit the US due to Trump.
Trump’s recent actions overseas-airstrikes in Caracas, capturing Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, renewed discussions regarding Greenland, and threats toward Cuba, Iran, Colombia, and Mexico-are amplifying travel anxieties beyond American borders. Prospective travelers to Greenland and Cuba report feeling unsure about safety and potential conflicts. Tour operators note that there have been immediate effects in Cuba while bookings for Colombia and Mexico seem largely stable.
Travel agencies highlight how official government advisories play a crucial role. For example, British tour operators avoid sending clients to locations deemed unsafe by the Foreign Office; if these guidelines are ignored, travel insurance is often voided.
Some tourism officials see a positive side. Greenland might use this increased media attention to promote awareness of its culture, nature, and history on a global scale. In Iran’s case, long-standing US policies and attitudes-not just recent statements-are mainly influencing tourism there.
For now, the travel industry is operating in an environment where perceptions matter greatly; the perceived risks of traveling to the US or other affected countries might outweigh any benefits.
With inputs from BBC
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