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Fewer Spaniards visiting U.S. over Trump's policies, says tourism expert

BARCELONA, Spain, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Catiana Tur, manager of the Corporate Association of Specialized Travel Agencies (ACAVE), attributed the recent decline in the number of Spaniards visiting the United States (U.S.) partly to the political uncertainty surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump's policies. According to Tur, who represents one of Spain's leading tourism organizations comprising 450 travel agencies, the aggressive stance of the U.S. administration is prompting many travelers to opt for alternative holiday destinations. "Tourism is highly sensitive to any news, and the news we're seeing daily in the press appears to be contributing to a noticeable decline in travel to the United States," she told Xinhua on Wednesday. In a report on the Easter holiday at the end of last month, the Spanish tourism board (Mesa del Turismo) estimated that trips by Spaniards to the United States dropped by 15 percent due to the geopolitical situation, despite the favorable euro-dollar exchange rate for European tourists. Tur emphasized that while news related to a specific destination can influence travelers' choices, "it's important to note that people are still traveling - they're just choosing other destinations." The Mesa del Turismo noted that while traditional European capitals remained the most visited international destinations by Spaniards over Easter, emerging markets such as Colombia and Mexico in Latin America, and China, Japan, and South Korea in Asia, are gaining popularity. "Asian destinations have experienced some of the highest growth over the past year. There is a growing preference among Spanish travelers to visit these countries, and it's also worth noting that air connectivity with Asia has improved significantly," Tur said. According to a recent survey by the holiday commerce platform SiteMinder, approximately 70 percent of Spaniards said they plan to travel abroad in 2025 - a seven-point increase compared to the previous year.