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Bloomberg
7 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Tariffs, State Jabs Push Canadians to Ditch US Travel, Poll Says
Most Canadians say they plan to shun US travel this summer as the trade war between the two countries continues, according to a poll by Leger Marketing Inc. Only 10% of Canadians plan to travel to the US this summer, down from 23% last year. And they're increasingly choosing to travel domestically, with 77% planning to do so compared with 69% last year.
SBS Australia
14-05-2025
- SBS Australia
Australians are reportedly abandoning travel to the US. That's not the full story
The US has long been one of the most popular destinations for Australian travellers. Source: SBS News Safety concerns, a weak dollar, and border security are some of the issues reportedly contributing to a drop in Australians travelling to the United States. Recent media reports have suggested Australians are turning away from US travel, with data indicating fewer are visiting and planning trips compared with previous years. But new figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) paint a different picture, and experts say current statistics should be taken with a grain of salt. So, are Australians really turning away from US travel, and what are the factors playing a part? According to preliminary data from the US government's International Trade Administration, there were 59,859 Australian visitors to the US in March. That's a 7.1 per cent drop from March last year, when 64,418 Australians visited the US. The Easter holiday period also fell in March in 2024 while this year, it was in April. This year to date, 201,867 Australians have arrived in the US, according to the data. That's about 1,500 fewer people than the corresponding period last year. But according to the latest data from the ABS, travel to the US appears to have slightly increased. The ABS' short-term resident returns for March 2025 tracked 55,870 Australians returning from the US, up from 50,650 for the same period last year. Professor Sarah Gardiner, director of the Griffith Institute for Tourism, said the difference in numbers is likely due to different methods of data collection. "A lot of our ABS data is done by our arrivals card, so when people come in through our entry points, international airports and so forth, it is tracked through that methodology," she said. "If they're [the US] using different types of tracking, maybe survey data or other data sources, there can be some variability in the data." Gardiner said the March travel data is not an accurate reflection of current issues. As well as the data already being months old, those travelling in March would likely have booked their trips much earlier, without knowing about current issues. "Things are changing quite quickly in terms of the situation, and so you've got a bit of forward booking in that system as well," she said. "So it's where it goes over the next few months that will be quite interesting to see if there is any impact." A national survey of 1,509 Australians aged 18 to 65 indicates fewer people were planning a trip to the US from 15 March to 15 May than the corresponding period 12 months ago. The quarterly poll, commissioned by the Tourism and Transport Forum, had the US as the fifth most popular international destination for autumn 2024, with 8 per cent of travellers headed there. The US slid to seventh on the list for this autumn, scooping up less than 6 per cent of Australia's overseas travel market. Sara Dolnicar, professor of tourism at the University of Queensland Business School, said she expects the numbers will rebound relatively quickly. Dolnicar said tourists are "very reactive" to world events and often base travel decisions around factors such as currency exchange rates, safety or security concerns, and environmental issues, particularly when travelling to far-away places like the US. "Travel is about adventure, but controlled adventure, so you don't want to really expose yourself to unnecessary risk," she said. "(Australians) might just be saying 'right now it doesn't seem stable enough for me to drag my family across there and not knowing what's going to happen',". She believes many Australians remain interested in travelling to the US, but may delay visiting until they feel more secure, particularly those who are putting trips off due to financial concerns. "Tourism is exceptionally resilient," she said. "My prediction ... is that it will bounce back because these are not dreams given up. They are deferred dreams or deferred aspirations of people." Dean Long, CEO of the Australian Travel Industry Association, said he believes interest in travel to the US has dropped in recent months. "The priced product in the US is very high when compared to the value that you can get across Southeast Asia in particular and even parts of Europe," he told the Australian Associated Press in April. "We think currency and value are the two things that are really driving that." In a briefing, Tourism Economics, a division of the United Kingdom-based economics advisory firm Oxford Economics, said policies and pronouncements from the Trump administration were contributing to a growing wave of negative international traveller sentiment toward the US. "Heightened border security measures and visible immigration enforcement actions are amplifying concerns," it said. "These factors, combined with a strong US dollar, are creating additional barriers for those considering travel to the US." According to the US International Trade Administration data, visitor numbers from countries other than Australia are also declining. According to the dataset, the United Kingdom — the US's top tourism-generating country — had a 14.3 per cent decrease in visitors compared with the previous year. Germany recorded a 28.2 per cent decrease, while the number of visitors from Spain and Ireland dropped by 24.6 per cent and 26.9 per cent respectively. Dolnicar said these reductions could be concerning for the US tourism industry. "If you think about the tourism industry ... globally it's about one in 10 jobs that's funded by the tourism industry and it's about 10 per cent of GDP (gross domestic product)," she said. "So if you have that kind of drop of numbers, that has immediate economic implications for a country." Some countries recorded modest increases, including Japan, Brazil and Italy, with rises of 3.6 per cent, 6.1 per cent and 3.4 per cent respectively. — With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
America's travel industry is losing a big chunk of foreign tourism, report says
The United States could see a hemorrhaging hospitality industry lose up to $12.5 billion in international travel tourism dollars this year, collapsing to $169 billion from $181 billion in 2024, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. That would be a 22.5 percent decline from the U.S. international spending peak of $217.4 billion in 2019, per the trade group's latest Economic Impact Research. The projection comes after months of Trump administration policies that have spooked travelers. Trade publication Travel and Tour World notes that the loss of international income will be most acute along the borders. 'Major US cities and tourism hotspots, particularly those along the Canadian border, are expected to experience a disproportionate share of the $12.5 billion loss in revenue. These areas heavily rely on international tourists, and the drop in arrivals will have a severe impact on their local economies,' the publication noted. Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of US Travel, said in a statement to Quartz, 'We are paying close attention to visitation data.' Freeman said the Trump administration's border and immigration policies have shifted some perceptions abroad. 'That is a perception that does not reflect the administration's intent,' Freeman said. 'We stand ready to partner with the Administration to reduce traveler friction and reaffirm that the United States remains a warm, open, and welcoming destination for all lawful international visitors,' he added. Meanwhile, Alex Alioto, who leads growth at the vacation rental agency Whimstay, said the impact of this travel loss will be uneven among players in the U.S. hospitality industry. 'The impact will vary by destination; international hubs like Orlando may face challenges, but on the flip side destinations like Orange Beach and Gatlinburg can thrive,' Alioto said, as some U.S.-based travelers are also choosing to stay home and check out more offbeat places stateside. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Forbes
12-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Canadian Car Travel To U.S. Plunged 35% In April—Fourth Consecutive Month Of Year-Over-Year Declines
The Canadian boycott of U.S. destinations intensified in April—with 35% and 20% year-over-year drops in car and air travel, respectively—setting up a potential economic loss to the U.S. of $7.4 billion this year. The number of Canadians taking road trips into the U.S.—representing the majority of Canadians who visit—dropped by 35% last month compared to April 2024, according to new data from Statistics Canada. There was also a 20% decline in air travelers from Canada compared to April 2024. It was the fourth consecutive month of steep declines in inbound Canadian travel, following 32% and 23% year-over-year drops in car travel and 14% and 2.4% drops in air travel to the U.S. in March and February, respectively. The U.S. Travel Association (USTA) warned that even a 10% reduction in Canadian inbound tourism could translate to $2.1 billion in lost spending and 140,000 jobs jeopardized in the hospitality and related sectors. Fewer Americans traveled to Canada in April, with car travel down 11% and air travel down 6%, per Statistics Canada data. Following back-to-back years of strong growth in inbound tourism, the U.S. is seeing a precipitous drop in international visitors so far in 2025. Canadians comprise the single largest cohort of foreign inbound tourists to the U.S., accounting for about a quarter of all foreign visitors, according to the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO). The next biggest market is Mexico, which sent 23% fewer air travelers to the U.S. in March compared to the same month last year. In March, the number of inbound tourists also dropped year over year from nearly every region of the world, including Europe (down 17%) the Caribbean (down 26%), Central America (down 24%), South America (down 11%), Africa (down 10%), Oceania (down 8%) and Asia (down 1%), according to NTTO's data. The USTA calculates that for every 1% drop in international visitor spending, the U.S. loses $1.8 billion in export revenue annually. If the downward trend continues, the country stands to lose at least $21 billion in travel-related exports. The call to avoid traveling to the U.S. began in early February after President Donald Trump announced tariffs were coming and began referring to Canada as 'the 51st state.' Then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Canadians not to vacation south of the border, and repeated that call to action through April, when he left office. Another reason, according to Canadian news outlets, is fear of being wrongfully detained by U.S. immigration authorities. Travel companies—from booking platforms to airlines to hotels—have noted Canadians are still traveling, though they are avoiding the United States. 'Canadians are traveling less to the U.S., but we see them more traveling to Mexico at this moment,' Glenn Fogel, chief executive officer at Booking Holdings, told investors in the company's first-quarter earnings call, adding, 'We are agnostic to where [Canadians] are traveling because usually they're spending the same amount, just at another destination.' Framing the phenomenon as 'a flyover,' Hyatt chief executive officer Mark Hoplamazian told Wall Street analysts this month the company saw 'a bit of a cascade out of some U.S. resorts' for Canadian travelers in favor of all-inclusive resorts in places like the Bahamas, where 'Canadian travelers are basically adding a boost to overall results in Q1.' And Airbnb chief financial officer Ellie Mertz told investors, 'We see Canadians are traveling at a much lower rate to the U.S., but they're traveling more domestically, they are traveling to Mexico, they are going to Brazil, they're going to France, they're going to Japan… they are just choosing different destinations.' $20.5 billion. That's how much Canadian travelers spent in the U.S. in 2024. To put that number into context, it's nearly double the $10.4 billion Americans spent at McDonald's last year. U.S. Now 'Flyover' Country For Canadians—Who Are Traveling To Mexico, Caribbean Instead (Forbes)
News18
23-04-2025
- Business
- News18
Virginia Beckons Indian Travelers: A Tapestry of Love, Culture, and Culinary Adventures
Virginia is for lovers of life, offering unforgettable adventures, rich history, and heartfelt hospitality to travelers from around the world. Virginia, famously known for its iconic tagline 'Virginia is for Lovers," is setting its sights firmly on Indian travelers, inviting them to explore its scenic beauty, rich history, and luxurious experiences. In an engaging conversation, Rita D. McClenny, President and CEO, Virginia Tourism Corporation, shared Virginia's ambitious plans to attract more visitors from India and highlighted the state's unique charm. 'Virginia truly is for lovers — lovers of life, of nature, of history, and of memorable moments with friends and family," enthused McClenny. With the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains in the west, miles of sandy beaches along the Atlantic coast, and historic landmarks sprinkled throughout, Virginia promises a vacation filled with diverse adventures. Strengthening Travel Ties with India McClenny emphasized Virginia's proactive approach to overcoming travel challenges, such as visa delays. 'We are working closely with federal representatives and travel associations like US Travel and Brand USA to address inbound travel barriers," she explained. Despite the hurdles, the surge in visa issuance for Indian travelers signals a positive trend. 'The demand is high, and that's a good thing — it reflects how much people want to visit." Direct connectivity is also a focus, with nonstop flights from India to Dulles International Airport enhancing accessibility. Collaborations with airline and hotel partners aim to create seamless, safe, and welcoming experiences for all visitors. Spotlight on Film and Sustainable Tourism With Indian cinema's global influence growing, Virginia is eager to engage with Bollywood filmmakers. 'We have a vibrant film culture here," said McClenny, who herself was a film commissioner for two decades. 'Bollywood's creativity can blend beautifully with Virginia's landscapes." Films like Dirty Dancing continue to draw tourists to Virginia, proving the power of cinematic tourism. Sustainability is another key priority. The 'Green Virginia" alliance promotes eco-friendly practices across the hospitality industry, allowing travelers to make conscious choices. 'Virginia's lush, agrarian beauty is something we cherish and protect," she said, noting that sustainable tourism isn't just a trend but a commitment to future generations. Virginia's Rich Offerings: History, Luxury, and Culinary Delights Positioning itself uniquely among U.S. destinations, Virginia offers a harmonious blend of history, nature, luxury, and cultural experiences that Indian travelers seek. As the 'Birthplace of America," it holds immense historical significance. Plans are underway to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in grand style, offering even more reasons to visit. Luxury experiences abound, from world-renowned spas to boutique hotels. Music enthusiasts can explore the 'Crooked Road" — Virginia's heritage music trail celebrating bluegrass and mountain music. Culinary tourism is another feather in Virginia's cap. 'We are the East Coast's top destination for oysters," McClenny proudly shared. Travelers can savor diverse oyster varieties straight from Virginia's rivers, bays, and oceanfronts, paired with wines from over 300 local wineries. Looking Ahead As post-pandemic travel trends shift toward experiential and sustainable tourism, Virginia stands ready. 'We focus on making travel seamless by planning ahead, fostering strong relationships, and continuously enhancing our offerings," affirmed McClenny. In Virginia, travelers find a place where love for nature, history, food, music, and togetherness blooms. 'Whatever you love, you can find it in Virginia," smiled McClenny. And with its timeless 'Virginia is for Lovers" spirit, the state promises unforgettable journeys filled with discovery, joy, and connection. First Published:
