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Tourists from nations hardest hit by President Donald Trump's trade tariffs are increasingly avoiding trips to the United States, according to new data from hotel search site Trivago.
The platform reported double-digit declines in U.S. hotel bookings by travelers from Japan, Canada, and Mexico, all early targets of the administration’s 25% tariffs introduced on Feb. 1. German bookings also dropped, though less steeply. The slump follows ongoing tensions, including Trump's suggestion that Canada would be better off as the U.S.’s 51st state and threats of a 50% tariff on EU imports, which was recently "paused."
Trivago also noted that American and British travelers are opting for domestic holidays amid economic uncertainty. In the UK, domestic travel bookings jumped 25% year-over-year for the summer season. Top destinations include London, Edinburgh, up nearly 30%, York, Blackpool, and Manchester.
The U.S. tourism industry, valued at $2.6 trillion, is feeling the pressure. Preliminary government figures show international visits to the U.S. fell 11.6% in March compared to the previous year. Trivago data also indicates Americans are spending less on travel, favoring cheaper accommodations.
“In times of uncertainty, people stay closer to home,” said Trivago CEO Johannes Thomas.
While the U.K. has been largely spared from major tariffs and recently signed a trade agreement with the U.S., concerns are mounting that a broader "Trump slump" could further impact global tourism patterns.
With information from The Guardian.
