Why more and more tourists are avoiding the US

Brazilian citizens who intend to travel to the United States have faced obstacles in obtaining a visa. Recently, travelers have experienced waiting times of up to four hours at American airports — the longest in the 24-year history of the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA). A partial shutdown of the United States government was to blame. Started in mid-February, it is already the longest in the country’s history. As Congress did not approve a budget for the operation of the airport agency, TSA inspectors worked without pay for more than a month. As a result, thousands of them suspended their work and more than 500 resigned. A presidential order signed on March 30 restored TSA employee pay and aims to significantly reduce airport wait times. But the headlines and photos of long lines are just one of a series of obstacles currently facing the U.S. travel and tourism industry. The disorder, with global consequences, could not have come at a worse time for Americans. After all, the country is one of the hosts of the FIFA World Cup, in addition to celebrating the centennial of Route 66 and the 250th anniversary of its independence in 2026. In a normal year, any of these events would give the United States tourism sector reasons to celebrate. But the country has been struggling in recent times with a mix of misperception and unpopular policies. In 2025, tourism in the United States fell by 5.4%, while the rest of the world saw growth of 4%, following the World Tourism Barometer. The number of Canadians visiting the United States fell by 22% last year, compared to 2024. The index represents the largest reduction of any tourist market worldwide. Long lines at airports and rising anti-American sentiment are leading tourists to reconsider their travel plans to the United States Getty Images via BBC The continued presence of ICE agents at American airports also does not appear to be helping to promote the country’s image. ICE agents were originally deployed to assist with TSA staffing shortages. But US Transport Secretary Sean Duffy has declared they will remain “as long as necessary”. ICE agents are not trained in aviation security, which makes some travelers wary. Sandra Awodele was born in Nigeria but is a naturalized American citizen. She says the presence of ICE made her more alert. “With ICE detaining people who may or may not be citizens and later apologizing if they’re wrong, I’ve had to change my travel plans a few times when the airport I’m arriving at has a large ICE presence,” she says. “I’ve never had any problems, but now I’m afraid I might have one, due to the procedures and protocols that I may not be aware of. It’s scary.” The deployment of ICE agents to airports is just one of a series of rapid policy changes that are confusing some international travelers. A Trump administration proposal presented in December 2025 would require visitors from 42 visa-free countries (including the United Kingdom and most of mainland Europe) to provide five years of social media history in order to enter the country. The proposal has not yet been implemented, but some travelers believe it is already in effect. “The law hasn’t changed, but the temperature has,” says civil rights attorney Evan Oshan, managing partner at Oshan & Associates. For him, “when federal authorities feel empowered to push all boundaries of their existing authority, this is a change of policy — and it simply does not require a decision from Congress.” A wave of anti-American sentiment caused by some of Trump’s policies also hurts tourism to the United States Getty Images via BBC A combination of anti-American sentiment caused by some of President Trump’s policies and the long waits still experienced by some travelers at many American airports has some travelers pondering whether this is the right time to visit the United States. Johan Konst runs a public relations company in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. He usually travels to the United States three or four times a year to attend conferences and meetings. He says he still intends to go, but is more selective about the timing of his trips. “The current situation seems to treat Europe more as an opponent than an ally, whether in relation to tariffs, rhetoric regarding NATO or the general tone towards European countries,” he explains. “This changing dynamic makes you feel less welcome, even if no American individual has ever made me feel this way personally.” Konst said the feeling of loneliness was enough to change his habits. “Now, I find myself pondering which trips are really necessary and which aren’t,” he says. “I’m more selective than before since I can also work remotely.” Konst points out that flights from Amsterdam to the United States have become clearly emptier in recent months. “I had an empty row to myself several times in a row,” according to him. Anita Shreider lives in Germany and is the head of marketing for the rental platform Bikes Booking. She also plans to travel to the United States this year, combining business meetings with tourism in Chicago and a trip to see the giant sequoias on the country’s west coast. But she understands why some travelers are holding back. “I know people who decided to cancel their summer trips to the United States because they didn’t agree with the country’s actions on the global stage,” she says. And among those who canceled, “it wasn’t really about specific policy changes, but a general malaise. They just didn’t feel comfortable traveling to the United States right now.” READ ALSO How much does it cost to eat in the first restaurants in Brazil — and Latin America — with 3 Michelin stars End of passport stamps: new border control system comes into force in the European Union Has the war in Iran shaken Dubai’s image of ‘paradise’? Enforcing rights International travelers say recent American policies have made them feel less welcome Getty Images via BBC Some American tour operators say that when international visitors arrive, they report surprise at what they find. “People come in expecting difficulties, but instead of crazy, they find a system that may be far from perfect, but is very navigable,” says Nashville Adventures founder and historian Paul Whitten. “Do your paperwork in advance and set a longer travel time,” he advises. “The difference between a stressful trip and a great one usually comes down to your preparation, not the policies themselves.” Oshan agrees and recommends that international travelers carry documents proving the purpose of their trip and study their rights before boarding. “CBP [Patrulha de Fronteira e Alfândega dos Estados Unidos, na sigla em inglês] “You have broad authority at the border, but you have constitutional protections when you’re on American soil,” he explains. “You have to assert those rights, and when they are violated, litigate for them.” Erik Hansen, head of government relations for the American Travel Association (the American travel industry’s lobbying group), said that the country’s travel industry recognizes the need to reduce the differences between travelers’ fears and their actual experience on the ground. He also points out that many airports have created rapid customs processes that have reduced lines for international arrivals, while others have implemented a practical security process to keep lines moving quickly. Paul Whitten agrees. “Policies adjust, but they are often not indicators of mass cultural changes, or at least not radical changes that will affect the average traveler’s experience overnight.” TSA officials warn that it takes four to six months to train new employees. This means that the total solution to the shortage of employees may only come after the World Cup, to be played between June 11th and July 19th this year. The government shutdown has no resolution in sight, and the United States and Israel’s ongoing war against Iran, which has increased anxiety and the cost of air tickets, shows no signs of easing. For Johan Konst, the United States’ pull is still strong, even with the signals around it becoming more complicated. “I continue to love the United States and the American people,” he declared. “It’s just the [políticas] that make me reconsider the number of trips there I used to make.” VIDEOS: most watched on g1

Source link