It’s no secret the U.S. is becoming a less and less attractive destination for international travelers, with new hiked up visa fees, threatening policies on deportation and border security, and a general distaste for the countries policies and policy makers. Many states are facing the consequences of decreased interest in U.S. tourism, as international traveler numbers in New York, California, and beyond drop, threatening what is typically a bustling economy.
According to reports from CNN, foreign travelers are increasingly nervous about the U.S.’s foreign policies. One Italian man studying in the U.S. told the outlet that Donald Trump’s immigration policies have made him hesitant to welcome visits from family members. The Trump Administration also recently imposed a new “visa integrity fee” which requires a $250 fee to be paid by “any alien issued a nonimmigrant visa at the time of issuance.” Nonimmigrant travelers include tourists, business travelers, temporary workers, students and more.
CNN reports that New York City’s designated marketing organization, New York City Tourism + Conventions, has chopped its forecast for international tourist numbers by 17% for the year. That means this year the city will see about two million fewer international visitors than last year’s figures. “We are still hopeful, but we are starting to see the bookings slow down some,” said the organization’s CEO and president Julie Coker.
Across the country in Nevada, tourist hub Las Vegas has also watched visitor figures plummet. NPR reports, the city is experiencing a decline in visitation for its sixth consecutive month this year. Various outlets report much of the loss of visitation can be traced to lack of interest of Canadian residents who are choosing to vacation domestically or in other international destinations this year, in apparent protest of U.S. tariff policies. This year, Trump imposed a 35% tariff on Canadian goods, and has made several digs at the nation claiming it should become a U.S. territory.
Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Nevada, Andrew Woods told NPR that tourists are “more discerning about where and how they’re traveling and where they’re spending their dollars.”
