How Geopolitics are Steering European Tourists Away from the U.S.
With rising geopolitical tension, the U.S. is seeing fewer European visitors—a trend that’s stirring worries in the American tourism scene. This drop started after Donald Trump’s return to the White House and has led to a quiet boycott spreading through Europe. Tourism makes up roughly 2.5% of the nation’s GDP (a key piece of the economic puzzle), so any change here really matters.
Decline in European tourists
The European boycott is clearly taking its toll on U.S. tourism. In March 2025, there was a 17% decrease in European travelers who stayed at least one night in the U.S. compared to March 2024. This isn’t just a one-off blip—overall foreign visitor numbers dropped by 12% in the same period.
This change stems from a mix of diplomatic and social unease linked to President Trump’s policies. Many Europeans see these moves as unfriendly, which has soured relations between Washington and Brussels. Fears over how foreigners are treated and the overall vibe of not feeling welcome (as explained by an Accor director saying there’s “anxiety about entering a territory that has become unpredictable”) have only added fuel to the fire.
Impact on European travel companies
The effects of this boycott go way beyond U.S. borders, hitting European travel companies hard. The French hotel group Accor has seen summer bookings from Europe drop by a staggering 25%—a sign that tourists are steering clear of American destinations. In a similar vein, Voyageurs du Monde, another big name in the travel business, experienced a 20% drop in bookings since Trump took office.
In Spain, travel agencies have noticed that folks are shifting their interests away from American spots in favor of places like Canada, Egypt, and several Latin American countries (different options that now seem more appealing). This shift shows just how much global travel patterns can change when political vibes get mixed up with vacation plans.
Broader implications for U.S. tourism
Because of these developments, industry experts are now adjusting their outlook for U.S. tourism. Tourism Economics is predicting a 9.4% decline for 2025, up from an earlier forecast of a 5% drop. This revision highlights the ongoing challenges the sector faces—from domestic political splits to the way international visitors are viewing America right now.
This drop in tourism isn’t just a number on a chart; it’s a sign of the political tensions at play and shows that travel is being used as a way to voice political opinions. While the European boycott might not be as obvious as something like a trade embargo, it has the power to hit one of America’s big industries pretty hard.
As all of this unfolds, there are solid questions about whether America can continue to attract international visitors amid all the political frictions. It might be time for some honest self-reflection and smart moves to win back the trust of travelers from around the world.
Given these challenges, it’s clear that both government leaders and industry insiders need to tackle the issues driving this trend. Working together might just help put America back on the map as a welcoming spot for travelers—even when navigating some pretty tangled international waters.