The US has seen a sharp decline in tourist numbers, with the drop attributed in part to tighter immigration restrictions and geopolitical tensions
The US has experienced a significant drop in tourist numbers – and it’s being partly been blamed on stricter immigration controls and geopolitical tensions during President Donald Trump’s administration.
With only a few months until the 2026 FIFA World Cup, many are hoping that football supporters will help reverse the trend. The US has traditionally held the position as the world’s leading holiday destination, with tourists flocking to attractions such as Disney World and Times Square.
However, China is now poised to overtake it as the world’s premier tourism economy within the next few years, according to Bloomberg news agency, reports the Mirror. The Chinese travel and tourism sector expanded by 9.9%, outpacing the US last year.
President and Chief Executive Officer of the World Travel and Tourism Council, Gloria Guevara, said that if both nations maintain comparable growth rates, China could claim the title of the world’s largest tourism economy before the decade ends.
“While the US is shrinking, China is rising at a fast rate,” Guevara said in an interview. “If this continues, in three to four years it will close in on the US.”
The forthcoming FIFA World Cup, scheduled to begin in June, could offer the chance for a surge in US tourism. However, The Independent reported that the US tourism sector remains concerned.
Exchange rate fluctuations and policy positions from the Trump administration on issues including immigration have apparently discouraged visitors, particularly Canadians, who represent the single largest source of international tourists for the US. Canadian travel to the US fell by close to 30% in 2025. Travel from Australia, India and Western Europe also fell.
Residents of the border town of Lewiston, New York, rely heavily on their nearest neighbours for tourism. However, some told the Guardian they had witnessed drops of as much as 30%.
One said: “I’m angry that the Canadians don’t want to come here any more. And I don’t blame them. I was thinking yesterday, I wish I didn’t live in this country, because I don’t like it anymore. I don’t like the news that I’m hearing. I don’t like the [Iran] war … It’s too much for me to handle.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will see 75% of matches hosted across the US.
Traditionally, host nations reap the benefits of major sporting events, though the economic impact is frequently overstated. Following a difficult year, the US tourism industry is pinning its hopes on the World Cup to drive visitor numbers and revenue.
Trump’s foreign policy, however, may well undermine those ambitions.
A new visa integrity fee of $250, coupled with plans for social media screening of certain visitors, makes travelling to the US considerably less appealing. There are mounting calls to boycott the US in response to a number of Trump’s policies.
Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has urged fans to steer clear of the US for the World Cup, which will also feature matches in neighbouring Canada and Mexico.
Flight and hotel bookings did, however, rise following the announcement of match dates and venues in December.
The tourism sector will need to be patient to discover whether a meaningful recovery is achievable in 2026.
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