International Tourists Rethink U.S. Trips Amid Safety Fears
Rising political unrest and waves of protest across the United States are prompting travelers worldwide to reconsider or cancel their trips.
Recent survey data and industry reports indicate a notable drop in U.S.-bound bookings, especially among international visitors and younger tourists, who are increasingly skittish about U.S. travel amid safety concerns.
Why it matters: This trend signals a growing hesitancy tied to safety perceptions and could hinder the U.S. tourism sector’s post-pandemic recovery.
International visitor spending is already projected to fall by $12.5 billion this year amid these headwinds , raising alarms for destinations that rely on foreign tourists.
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Political demonstrations across American cities have become a source of concern for many travelers. Scenes of civil unrest – from large-scale rallies to local protests – are making headlines worldwide and coloring perceptions of the U.S. as a safe destination.
In fact, a summer 2025 travel sentiment survey found that nearly 12% of non-U.S. respondents have canceled trips to (or within) the United States due specifically to unrest fears.
By contrast, virtually no U.S. travelers (only about 1%) said domestic unrest caused them to cancel trips within their own country.
This stark gap underscores how overseas tourists are far more uneasy about U.S. instability than Americans themselves.
Unrest Driving Trip Cancellations
New data from a Global Rescue Traveler Safety and Sentiment Survey offers a detailed look at how U.S. unrest is influencing travel plans.
The survey – conducted in late June 2025 with nearly 2,900 respondents – reveals that while just over half of travelers (52%) say their U.S. travel plans remain unchanged, a significant minority are making adjustments or nixing trips due to safety worries.
Crucially, the impact is far from uniform across demographics:
- International vs. Domestic Travelers: Foreign visitors are much more likely to alter their plans. While a mere 1% of U.S.-based respondents canceled travel within the States due to unrest, almost 12% of international respondents reported canceling U.S. trips for this reason. In addition, nearly 20% of international travelers say they are actively reconsidering future trips to the U.S. because of the political climate – 12 percentage points higher than the rate among Americans. In other words, global travelers are more than ten times as likely as Americans to shun U.S. destinations over protest fears, highlighting a wide perception gap.
- Political Climate Sensitivities: Overall, 62% of surveyed travelers said the U.S. political climate doesn’t affect their travel choices. But among non-U.S. citizens, that share plummets to just 26% who feel immune to U.S. politics’ impact on their plans. The majority of foreigners are at least wary; many cite contentious American domestic issues as a red flag when considering visits.
- Younger Tourists More Wary: Travelers under 35 emerge as the most sensitive to unrest. Nearly 10% of young respondents admitted to postponing a U.S. trip over political concerns – more than double the rate of those aged 55 and over. Additionally, 8% of the under-35 group have outright canceled U.S. travel plans due to protests or turmoil, compared to only about 3–4% of older travelers. This suggests that younger generations (often active on social media and highly aware of global events) are especially reactive to headlines about instability.
Not all travelers are deterred: a slim majority haven’t changed their U.S. travel plans at all.
But among those who have, the most common adjustment isn’t necessarily canceling the U.S. entirely – it’s strategic avoidance.
About 17% of respondents said they won’t visit U.S. cities or areas where protests are occurring.
Rather than risk being caught in unrest, these travelers plan to steer clear of potential hot-spot destinations (for example, skipping a city known for ongoing demonstrations).
Another 9% are considering modifying their itineraries or timing, though they haven’t decided on specifics yet.
This cautious approach indicates that even those still visiting the U.S. may tweak when and where they go to feel safer.
International Visitors Grow Hesitant
The unease is not contained to any one country – it’s a global phenomenon. High-profile incidents of political unrest and societal turmoil in America have filtered into international news cycles, affecting would-be visitors’ confidence.
In some cases, foreign governments and organizations have taken notice and responded accordingly:
- Travel Advisories Issued: Allies are waving yellow flags. Canada, the U.K., Germany, Australia, and several other nations have updated their travel advisories for the U.S. in 2025, urging caution for various reasons ranging from heightened border scrutiny to potential civil unrest. For instance, Australia’s government added a warning in June advising citizens to “avoid areas where demonstrations and protests are occurring due to the potential for unrest and violence” when visiting U.S. cities. Such official notices abroad reinforce the idea that traveling to America might carry unusual risks, which can dissuade leisure travelers and student groups alike.
- Canadian Cautionary Tale: Canada, which traditionally sends the most visitors to the U.S., exemplifies the shifting sentiment. After a series of widely publicized incidents (including reports of Canadian travelers facing device searches at the U.S. border), a May 2025 poll found that 52% of Canadians feel it is “no longer safe” for all Canadians to travel to the U.S.. This wariness has had immediate effects: one major travel agency, Flight Centre, reported a nearly 40% drop in Canada-to-U.S. flight bookings in February. The trend even led the Girl Guides of Canada (a youth organization) to suspend all trips to the U.S. over safety and inclusivity concerns. The message is clear – a significant segment of America’s northern neighbors is hitting the brakes on U.S. travel for now.
- Symbolic Trip Boycotts: Beyond fear, some travelers are choosing to stay away as a form of protest or principle. Tour operators note that a number of Europeans, for example, have reconsidered U.S. holidays in reaction to U.S. political developments and societal issues. Whether out of personal safety calculation or disapproval of American politics, the result is the same: fewer foreign arrivals on U.S. soil.
Tourism Industry Feels the Pinch
The implications of this pullback are starting to register across the U.S. travel industry.
America had been eagerly welcoming back international tourists after the pandemic lull, but new headwinds threaten that recovery.
Key metrics and anecdotes paint a sobering picture:
- Declining Inbound Numbers: After a rebound in 2022–23, international arrivals to the U.S. are once again trending downward. In March 2025, overall visitation was down 14% compared to the previous year, including a steep 17% drop in visitors from Western Europe (the first such decline since 2021). Travel from Asia remains 25% below pre-pandemic (2019) levels. While various factors are at play (from a strong dollar to visa hassles), industry experts believe that negative perceptions of U.S. safety and welcome are contributing to the slump.
- Major Markets Pulling Back: The falloff from Canada is particularly striking. Canadian visits to sun-belt states like Florida, California, Nevada, and beyond have traditionally bolstered local economies in winter. Now, with Canadians cutting trips (due to both safety concerns and policy frictions), those states could see noticeable dips in tourism revenue. The U.S. Travel Association has warned that popular destinations may suffer declines in retail and hospitality sales as our closest neighbors “boycott” travel to America. Airlines have already reacted: carriers such as Air Canada and WestJet have trimmed U.S.-bound flight capacity, anticipating weaker demand.
- Tour Operators and Bookings: Private travel companies are reporting similar patterns. James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel (a global tour operator), notes a “clear decline in demand” for U.S. trips. Intrepid has seen a 25% drop in U.S. bookings year-over-year as of mid-2025, even while bookings to other worldwide destinations are up about 14% in the same period. “The figure highlights the need to foster a more welcoming environment,” Thornton observes, emphasizing that the U.S. must work harder to reassure tourists even though it “continues to be a sought-after destination”. In short, travelers aren’t flocking to America like they once did – and many who still come are spending cautiously or shortening their stays.
- Economic Stakes: Travel and tourism are a significant component of the U.S. economy – and the current downturn carries real costs. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) projects U.S. international traveler spending will drop 22.5% from its peak, translating to about $169 billion in 2025, down from $181 billion last year. “This is a wake-up call for the U.S. government,” warned Julia Simpson, WTTC’s president, adding that the world’s largest tourism economy is “heading in the wrong direction, not because of lack of demand, but because of a failure to act”. Industry leaders point out that while other countries are rolling out the welcome mat to attract visitors, a mix of safety fears, geopolitical tensions, and bureaucratic hurdles (like new visa fees and stringent entry rules) are effectively putting a “Closed” sign on America’s door.
Rebuilding Trust and Looking Ahead
Travel analysts say the U.S. must grapple with these perception challenges to avoid a prolonged tourism slump. Safety, security, and a sense of welcome are paramount for luring back global visitors.
“These findings highlight the impact of domestic developments on inbound travel behavior,” notes Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue, which conducted the summer survey.
“Maintaining trust, safety and situational awareness is vital to ensuring travelers feel secure—whether they’re visiting from abroad or exploring their own country.”
In practical terms, this means both public officials and private travel providers have a role to play in restoring confidence – from clearly communicating safety measures to actively countering negative perceptions with positive stories about U.S. destinations.
Some signs are hopeful. Major U.S. cities are ramping up marketing campaigns emphasizing their hospitality and cultural offerings, and security measures at events and tourist sites are being reinforced to prevent incidents.
The underlying allure of America – its diverse landscapes, iconic cities, and attractions – has not vanished, and many travelers still consider the U.S. a bucket-list trip.
For the hesitant, travel experts advise staying informed about local conditions: often, unrest is isolated to specific areas and times.
By avoiding known protest zones (as many are choosing to do) and exercising normal precautions, visitors can still enjoy safe and rewarding trips in the U.S.
The current spike in cancellations and trip anxiety underscores a new reality for U.S. tourism in 2025 – one where perception is as important as reality.
Political turmoil and social unrest, even if not directly affecting tourists on the ground, are influencing travel decisions from afar.
To turn the tide, the U.S. travel industry and government will need to address these safety perceptions head-on.
Otherwise, global travelers – especially the young and the cautious – may continue opting out of U.S. adventures, seeking friendlier and more reassuring destinations instead.