Wednesday, August 6, 2025
US travel faces a major setback in 2025. A new update reveals how American President Trump’s tariffs are shaking up the entire tourism industry. From airlines to hotels and even the cruise sector, the impact is real and widespread. These tariffs, aimed at reshaping global trade, are now affecting how people travel to and from the United States.
As a result, the tourism industry is slowing down. Airlines are cutting routes, hotels are seeing fewer international guests, and the cruise industry is bracing for higher costs. The new update shows that these changes are not just numbers—they affect real people, travellers, and businesses.
President Trump’s move is creating ripple effects across the US travel sector. And while the long-term goal is economic strength, the short-term result is a visible setback in tourism. The world is watching how America responds.
In 2025, something big is changing the way people travel. New tariffs, introduced by US President Donald Trump, are having a strong effect on tourism in the US and beyond. These tariffs are taxes placed on goods coming into the country. But they are also affecting airlines, hotels, cruises, casinos, and the entire travel industry. The idea behind these tariffs is to protect American jobs and reduce trade with countries like China, Canada, Mexico, and parts of Europe. But there’s a problem. These new policies are now making it harder and more expensive for people to travel to and within the United States.
This article explains what’s really happening. It breaks down the numbers, shows who is affected, and helps you understand why it matters. Even though the travel industry is strong, Trump’s tariff rules are creating bumps in the road. Let’s explore the facts.
Tariffs Explained: What Did Trump Change?
Tariffs are taxes added to imported goods. In 2025, US President Donald Trump brought in a new set of global tariffs. These include:
- A 10% general tariff on many imports
- Up to 41% additional tariffs on products from Canada, the EU, Mexico, and China
- Tighter visa rules and more border checks
These changes were meant to protect American-made products. But they have also made other countries upset. Many people in Canada and Europe have chosen to cancel trips to the US as a result.
Tourism Is Down: Fewer People Are Visiting the US
The biggest impact of the new tariffs is on international tourism.
- Visitors from Canada dropped by about 15% in 2025. This loss could cost the U.S. $3 billion in spending.
- Tourists from Europe are down by 17–28%. Fewer people from the UK, France, Germany, and Spain are visiting.
- Some of these drops are because of higher visa fees. Others are because people in these countries are boycotting the U.S.
Altogether, experts say the United States may lose up to $64 billion in tourism revenue this year. The World Travel & Tourism Council says the U.S. could also lose £10 billion in export earnings just from international tourism.
Business Travel Hit Hard Too
It’s not just families and holiday-goers. Business travellers are also cutting back.
- In April 2025, U.S. business travel dropped by 9%.
- Companies in Europe and Mexico are sending fewer staff to the U.S. for meetings and events.
- Business events like conferences and trade shows are seeing fewer attendees from abroad.
This is worrying for hotels and convention centres that rely on business travellers. They often spend more than tourists and stay longer.
Airlines Are Struggling With Higher Costs and Fewer Flyers
Airlines are another major part of the travel industry feeling the heat. They are being hit in two ways:
- Fewer international bookings
Airlines like Delta, American Airlines, and United have reported fewer international ticket sales. Some flights have been cancelled or reduced. - Higher prices for parts
Airlines buy a lot of foreign-made parts for planes. With the new tariffs, the cost of these parts has gone up. That makes it more expensive to keep planes in the air.
Air Canada has already reduced its U.S. routes by 10%. And bookings from Europe are down by 13%, especially to U.S. cities.
Some airline stocks have dropped as much as 40% in 2025 due to these changes.
Hotel Bookings Drop As Visitors Pull Back
Hotels across the U.S. are seeing fewer guests. While local travellers still come, the loss of international guests is starting to show.
- Hotel occupancy rates have fallen by 2.3 percentage points in early 2025.
- Revenue per available room (RevPAR) is down more than 4%.
- Some cities that depend on global tourists—like New York, Las Vegas, and Miami—are seeing the biggest dips.
At the same time, hotel costs are going up. Many hotels import food, furniture, linens, and building materials. All of these are now more expensive due to tariffs.
This puts pressure on hotel owners. They must either raise prices or cut services. Either way, guests notice the change.
Casinos Face Mixed Results
The casino industry is a bit more complex. Some areas are doing well, while others are facing losses.
- Las Vegas Strip casinos are showing small gains. Their gaming revenue is up by about 0.88%.
- But casinos that rely on international visitors—especially high-spending guests—are struggling.
- Regional casinos in places like Atlantic City and tribal casinos are seeing uneven growth.
Casinos also import luxury goods, electronics, and building materials. Tariffs make all of these more costly.
Even small changes in visitor numbers can affect revenue in a big way. And that’s what’s happening now.
Cruises: Feeling the Pressure from All Sides
Cruise lines are also affected, though in quieter ways.
Many cruise ships are built overseas or use parts made in Asia and Europe. Tariffs make repairs and upgrades more expensive.
Cruises that leave from U.S. ports may see fewer international passengers. Some cruise lines may adjust their itineraries to avoid the U.S. altogether.
Also, the cost of fuel, food, and ship maintenance is going up. This could mean higher cruise prices for passengers later this year.
Visa and Policy Changes Are Also Pushing Travellers Away
On top of tariffs, new visa rules are making it harder for international tourists to enter the U.S. These include:
- Longer visa processing times
- Higher visa application fees
- Stricter border checks
These rules discourage people from booking holidays to the U.S. Some countries have warned their citizens about travel difficulties or long waits at U.S. airports.
Together with higher travel costs, this makes the U.S. less appealing as a destination.
Travel leaders are asking for a softer approach. They want better talks between countries and fewer travel barriers.
Key Impacts in 2025
| Sector | What’s Happening |
|---|---|
| International Tourism | Down 5–12%; Canada -15%; Europe down 17–28% |
| Business Travel | Dropped 9% in April |
| Airlines | Fewer bookings; route cuts; rising part costs |
| Hotels | Lower occupancy; rising service costs |
| Casinos | Strip stable; others mixed; VIP travel drop |
| Cruises | Higher costs; fewer foreign guests |
| Travel Revenue | U.S. could lose up to £50 billion in 2025 |
Final Thoughts: What This Means for Travellers and the Industry
Donald Trump’s 2025 tariffs are changing the way people travel. The goal was to protect U.S. businesses. But the result is fewer visitors, rising prices, and struggling sectors in tourism.
Airlines, hotels, cruises, and casinos are all dealing with fewer guests and higher costs. International travel to the U.S. is down. Even American travellers may feel the pinch as prices go up.
The situation is still developing. But unless these tariffs and visa rules change, travel will continue to be tougher, slower, and more expensive.
The travel industry is calling for more open policies and friendlier borders. Because when people travel, economies grow—and the world becomes smaller, kinder, and more connected.
Let’s hope that message reaches the policymakers before more seats go empty.
