Many travelers from Southeast Asia and Canada are skipping trips to the U.S. because they’re worried about safety, unfair treatment, and recent political changes. Travel Pulse
The number of international travelers choosing to visit the United States is falling. A new survey shows that nearly 80% of Southeast Asian tourists feel the U.S. is becoming less attractive. This shift is being blamed on growing concerns about safety, high costs, and political tension.
Fear and Frustration Among Asian Tourists
Travelers from Southeast Asia are feeling uneasy about visiting the U.S. due to several reasons. The biggest worry, cited by 60% of participants, is discrimination against Asians. Over half of the travelers are also concerned about the actions of the current U.S. government. Gun violence is another major issue, with 53% listing it as a fear.
Other reasons for staying away include:
- Travel costs (41%)
- Trade tariffs (38%)
- Detentions at borders (37%)
- Trump’s re-election (34%)
- Tough visa rules (32%)
- Government-issued travel warnings (15%)
The survey, conducted by Milieu Insight between May 22 and June 10, included 6,000 people from Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia. About half of those surveyed had visited the U.S. before. Still, one in four said they had lost interest in going again — just in the last six months.
Canada Also Turning Away
It’s not just Asian tourists who are losing interest. New data shows Canadians are also staying away. According to a report released in July, visits from Canada to the U.S. dropped sharply in June.
That month, only 1.3 million Canadian car trips into the U.S. were recorded — a drop of 33.1% compared to the same time last year. Air travel from Canada also fell 22.1%, with only 363,900 travelers returning from U.S. airports. This marks the sixth straight month that Canadian travel to the U.S. has dropped.
Many Canadians are now choosing other vacation spots, such as Mexico and Caribbean countries. Experts say Canada’s falling travel numbers are linked to U.S. tariff policies and growing anger over President Trump’s talk of absorbing Canada into the U.S.
Tourism Decline Hurts U.S. Economy
This overall decline in international visitors worries economic experts. Tourism is a major source of income for the U.S., with global visitors spending $254 billion last year.
A recent report from the International Trade Administration also revealed that non-U.S. citizens arriving by plane have decreased by more than 11% since March 2024. This drop highlights how global concerns — including politics and safety — are affecting U.S. travel.
