Latest news with #traveldecline
Fast Company
28-05-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
Who wants to come to America? More tourists are staying away, spending their money elsewhere in 2025
Between reports of travelers being arrested or hassled at border crossings and boycotts due to President Trump's divisive rhetoric, it's no surprise that the number of international visitors to the United States has taken a sharp downturn. Now new research from Tourism Economics predicts an 8.5% decline in international tourism to the United States this year. As a result, the country could see an $8.5 billion downtick in international visitor spending, according to Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company. Meanwhile, the World Travel & Tourism Council has an even bleaker prediction, estimating a loss of $12.5 billion for 2025. The former's predictions are an improvement from a report two months ago, which put the decrease in arrivals at 9.4% and spending down to 5%, compared to 4.7%. However, they're shocking when you consider that the researchers had initially predicted a 9% increase in international travelers and a 16% boost in their spending for 2025. 'Negative sentiment effects' The largest decline for a single country is predicted to reach 20.2% from Canada—the independent nation that President Trump has posited should go from neighbor to 51st state. Western Europe follows at an expected 5.8% decrease in visitors to the U.S. Canada and Europe already have a significant drop in flights booked for May to July, down 33% and 10.4%, respectively. 'Overall, the strained relationship between the US and its key trading allies and tourism source markets will continue to weigh heavily on travel demand,' stated Aran Ryan, the report's author and the director of industry studies. 'These negative sentiment effects referenced in our prior research, explain our view that Trump administration rhetoric and policies have contributed to a mix of traveler backlash and concerns about traveling to the US.'
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Full-blown crisis': Travel from Saskatchewan to U.S. has plummeted after Donald Trump's election
The number of travellers heading south of the border from Saskatchewan has dropped significantly since the election of President Donald Trump, according to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The most recent available data is from April. It shows that just over 27,000 travellers entered the United States that month at the 12 ports of entry that border Saskatchewan. In April 2024, those 12 ports of entry recorded 34,800 travellers. That's a year-over-year drop of 7,700 people, or 22 per cent. The decline is part of a trend that can be found across the data collected by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Saskatchewan border crossings. When comparing numbers reported in April 2024 and April 2025, there's been a drop in the number of passenger vehicles (23 per cent) and trucks (20 per cent). In fact, the CBP data shows that every month since Trump was sworn into office in February has seen fewer travellers than the same month in 2024. The decline is already having a material effect on Canadian businesses. The executive director of the Frontier Duty Free Association, which represents 32 duty free stores across the land border, said the shops are in a "full-blown crisis." One of those stores is located at the North Portal-Portal border crossing in Saskatchewan. Barbara Barrett said that on average, sales at the stores nationwide have dropped by about 40 or 50 per cent. "In the more remote areas in the east and the west, we're seeing up to 80 per cent down. So it is a dramatic decrease and we are feeling the brunt of the elbows up [movement]. I'd say that we're taking it on the chin," Barrett said. WATCH | Sask. travel to United States drops, threatening border businesses: Barrett said the drop in traffic came as Trump ratcheted up political tensions with Canada by making comments about the country becoming the 51st state. The president's decision to announce and then retreat from a series of tariffs on Canadian goods being imported into the United States hasn't helped. Barrett admitted that the stores struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel across the U.S. border was shuttered. The lack of travel now is like being kicked when they're already down, she said. The compounding issues could force tough decisions for many of the duty-free store owners, with approximately a third of the stores facing closure. "We're often the pillars of very small communities across Canada. So a lot of the employees have been working in these stores for 20 to 30 years, and there aren't a lot of other employment opportunities in these very remote areas," Barrett said. The decline in traffic is also at odds with a trend that saw the number of crossings from Saskatchewan to the states of North Dakota and Montana increase year-over-year in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Stephanie Schoenrock, the executive director ofVisit Minot, said businesses in the North Dakota city are reporting a drop in the number of Canadian visitors compared to last year. While it may not yet be peak tourism season, Schoenrock said Minot thrives on tourists heading south from Saskatchewan. "This is the thing that I really want to stress, probably more than anything, is the businesses of Minot want Canadians," she said. Schoenrock said they continue to monitor the situation and are encouraging their neighbours from the north to travel to Minot. In contrast to the data provided by CBP, Tourism Saskatchewan told CBC News that the province has seen an "increase in U.S. border crossings into the province between January and March this year as compared to 2024." April saw a slight dip, but the tourism agency said the stability in travel to the province is the result of strong hunting and fishing opportunities. "In conversations with the industry, outfitters have indicated that bookings have been steady or growing in 2025 compared to 2024, with relatively few cancellations. Based on this information, Tourism Saskatchewan expects relatively stable, if not growing, visitor expenditures from the U.S. market in 2025," Tourism Saskatchewan said in a statement. Barrett said the Frontier Duty Free Association is calling for "pandemic-level" assistance, such as wage or rent supports, to avoid closure of duty free stores. "Once we lose them, we're not getting them back," Barrett said. Schoenrock prefers to take a long view of the shrinking travel numbers. She pointed to the historically close relationship between Canada and the United States. "This relationship has spanned decades and so we don't see this as international tourists, right? We see it as our friends that we see often," Schoenrock said.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Full-blown crisis': Travel from Saskatchewan to U.S. has plummeted after Donald Trump's election
The number of travellers heading south of the border from Saskatchewan has dropped significantly since the election of President Donald Trump, according to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The most recent available data is from April. It shows that just over 27,000 travellers entered the United States that month at the 12 ports of entry that border Saskatchewan. In April 2024, those 12 ports of entry recorded 34,800 travellers. That's a year-over-year drop of 7,700 people, or 22 per cent. The decline is part of a trend that can be found across the data collected by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Saskatchewan border crossings. When comparing numbers reported in April 2024 and April 2025, there's been a drop in the number of passenger vehicles (23 per cent) and trucks (20 per cent). In fact, the CBP data shows that every month since Trump was sworn into office in February has seen fewer travellers than the same month in 2024. The decline is already having a material effect on Canadian businesses. The executive director of the Frontier Duty Free Association, which represents 32 duty free stores across the land border, said the shops are in a "full-blown crisis." One of those stores is located at the North Portal-Portal border crossing in Saskatchewan. Barbara Barrett said that on average, sales at the stores nationwide have dropped by about 40 or 50 per cent. "In the more remote areas in the east and the west, we're seeing up to 80 per cent down. So it is a dramatic decrease and we are feeling the brunt of the elbows up [movement]. I'd say that we're taking it on the chin," Barrett said. WATCH | Sask. travel to United States drops, threatening border businesses: Barrett said the drop in traffic came as Trump ratcheted up political tensions with Canada by making comments about the country becoming the 51st state. The president's decision to announce and then retreat from a series of tariffs on Canadian goods being imported into the United States hasn't helped. Barrett admitted that the stores struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel across the U.S. border was shuttered. The lack of travel now is like being kicked when they're already down, she said. The compounding issues could force tough decisions for many of the duty-free store owners, with approximately a third of the stores facing closure. "We're often the pillars of very small communities across Canada. So a lot of the employees have been working in these stores for 20 to 30 years, and there aren't a lot of other employment opportunities in these very remote areas," Barrett said. The decline in traffic is also at odds with a trend that saw the number of crossings from Saskatchewan to the states of North Dakota and Montana increase year-over-year in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Stephanie Schoenrock, the executive director ofVisit Minot, said businesses in the North Dakota city are reporting a drop in the number of Canadian visitors compared to last year. While it may not yet be peak tourism season, Schoenrock said Minot thrives on tourists heading south from Saskatchewan. "This is the thing that I really want to stress, probably more than anything, is the businesses of Minot want Canadians," she said. Schoenrock said they continue to monitor the situation and are encouraging their neighbours from the north to travel to Minot. In contrast to the data provided by CBP, Tourism Saskatchewan told CBC News that the province has seen an "increase in U.S. border crossings into the province between January and March this year as compared to 2024." April saw a slight dip, but the tourism agency said the stability in travel to the province is the result of strong hunting and fishing opportunities. "In conversations with the industry, outfitters have indicated that bookings have been steady or growing in 2025 compared to 2024, with relatively few cancellations. Based on this information, Tourism Saskatchewan expects relatively stable, if not growing, visitor expenditures from the U.S. market in 2025," Tourism Saskatchewan said in a statement. Barrett said the Frontier Duty Free Association is calling for "pandemic-level" assistance, such as wage or rent supports, to avoid closure of duty free stores. "Once we lose them, we're not getting them back," Barrett said. Schoenrock prefers to take a long view of the shrinking travel numbers. She pointed to the historically close relationship between Canada and the United States. "This relationship has spanned decades and so we don't see this as international tourists, right? We see it as our friends that we see often," Schoenrock said.
CBC
26-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
'Full-blown crisis': Travel from Saskatchewan to U.S. has plummeted after Donald Trump's election
Social Sharing The number of travellers heading south of the border from Saskatchewan has dropped significantly since the election of President Donald Trump, according to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The most recent available data is from April. It shows that just over 27,000 travellers entered the United States that month at the 12 ports of entry that border Saskatchewan. In April 2024, those 12 ports of entry recorded 34,800 travellers. That's a year-over-year drop of 7,700 people, or 22 per cent. The decline is part of a trend that can be found across the data collected by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Saskatchewan border crossings. When comparing numbers reported in April 2024 and April 2025, there's been a drop in the number of passenger vehicles (23 per cent) and trucks (20 per cent). In fact, the CBP data shows that every month since Trump was sworn into office in February has seen fewer travellers than the same month in 2024. The decline is already having a material effect on Canadian businesses. The executive director of the Frontier Duty Free Association, which represents 32 duty free stores across the land border, said the shops are in a "full-blown crisis." One of those stores is located at the North Portal-Portal border crossing in Saskatchewan. Barbara Barrett said that on average, sales at the stores nationwide have dropped by about 40 or 50 per cent. "In the more remote areas in the east and the west, we're seeing up to 80 per cent down. So it is a dramatic decrease and we are feeling the brunt of the elbows up [movement]. I'd say that we're taking it on the chin," Barrett said. WATCH | Sask. travel to United States drops, threatening border businesses: Sask. travel to United States drops, threatening border businesses 2 days ago Duration 2:05 Barrett said the drop in traffic came as Trump ratcheted up political tensions with Canada by making comments about the country becoming the 51st state. The president's decision to announce and then retreat from a series of tariffs on Canadian goods being imported into the United States hasn't helped. Barrett admitted that the stores struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel across the U.S. border was shuttered. The lack of travel now is like being kicked when they're already down, she said. The compounding issues could force tough decisions for many of the duty-free store owners, with approximately a third of the stores facing closure. "We're often the pillars of very small communities across Canada. So a lot of the employees have been working in these stores for 20 to 30 years, and there aren't a lot of other employment opportunities in these very remote areas," Barrett said. South of the border The decline in traffic is also at odds with a trend that saw the number of crossings from Saskatchewan to the states of North Dakota and Montana increase year-over-year in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Stephanie Schoenrock, the executive director of Visit Minot, said businesses in the North Dakota city are reporting a drop in the number of Canadian visitors compared to last year. While it may not yet be peak tourism season, Schoenrock said Minot thrives on tourists heading south from Saskatchewan. "This is the thing that I really want to stress, probably more than anything, is the businesses of Minot want Canadians," she said. Schoenrock said they continue to monitor the situation and are encouraging their neighbours from the north to travel to Minot. Opposite trend recorded in Sask. In contrast to the data provided by CBP, Tourism Saskatchewan told CBC News that the province has seen an "increase in U.S. border crossings into the province between January and March this year as compared to 2024." April saw a slight dip, but the tourism agency said the stability in travel to the province is the result of strong hunting and fishing opportunities. "In conversations with the industry, outfitters have indicated that bookings have been steady or growing in 2025 compared to 2024, with relatively few cancellations. Based on this information, Tourism Saskatchewan expects relatively stable, if not growing, visitor expenditures from the U.S. market in 2025," Tourism Saskatchewan said in a statement. Barrett said the Frontier Duty Free Association is calling for "pandemic-level" assistance, such as wage or rent supports, to avoid closure of duty free stores. "Once we lose them, we're not getting them back," Barrett said. Schoenrock prefers to take a long view of the shrinking travel numbers. She pointed to the historically close relationship between Canada and the United States. "This relationship has spanned decades and so we don't see this as international tourists, right? We see it as our friends that we see often," Schoenrock said.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
5 Tourist Towns To Buy Property in While Tariffs Are High
International tariffs have made visiting the United States more expensive, causing a steep drop in foreign tourism, especially from Canada and Mexico. According to Oxford Economics, the U.S. saw a 31.9% decline in Canadian visitors and a 23% drop in Mexican visitors in March 2025, compared to previous years. This trend has led to a $64 billion loss for the U.S. tourism industry, with experts predicting that travel numbers may not fully recover until 2029. Discover More: Read Next: For property investors, these changes have created rare opportunities in iconic tourist towns. As demand softens, prices and inventory are shifting, especially in destinations that once relied on foreign visitors. Below, we explore five towns where these trends have opened doors for buyers, and we link directly to the latest housing data. North Myrtle Beach is a classic example of a market in transition. According to Rocket Homes, the median home prices rose 3.4% year-over-year to $398,002 in April 2025. However, not all segments are seeing gains: one-bedroom homes dropped 5.4%, and two- and three-bedroom homes also saw slight declines. Inventory is up 6.3% from March, with over 1,000 homes on the market and nearly 87% of properties selling below asking price. This is a clear sign buyers have more negotiating power. Homes are taking longer to sell, averaging 128 days on the market. These trends, combined with ongoing new construction and Myrtle Beach's enduring appeal, creates a great opportunity for those looking to enter a coastal market before international tourism rebounds. Find Out: Gatlinburg remains a favorite for domestic tourists, even as international visits have slowed. The average single-family home price is around $400,000, with prime cabins fetching over $600,000 due to strong short-term rental demand. The town's population is growing, and more buyers are entering the market, drawn by the promise of steady rental income and Smoky Mountain views. While some longtime residents are cashing out, new zoning changes and the conversion of older motels into modern vacation cabins are expanding investment options. The local market is expected to see moderate growth, making Gatlinburg a smart choice for those seeking both lifestyle and rental returns. Dauphin Island's real estate market is bucking the national trend, thanks to strong domestic demand. While European tourism has dipped, new ferry connections and infrastructure upgrades are attracting regional buyers. The median home price jumped 10.2% year-over-year to $490,000 in March 2025, with four-bedroom homes up 18%, per Rocket Homes data. Furthermore, inventory has also surged — 160 homes were for sale in March, a 52% increase from the previous month, giving buyers more choices. Off-beach cottages often sell 20% below similar Gulf Coast properties, and the area remains a buyer's market, with homes staying on the market longer and prices more negotiable. The town's glacier access and year-round outdoor activities continue to draw steady interest from adventure-seeking Americans, even as international ski tourism dips. According to Ownwell, the median home value is $445,350, and property taxes are higher than the national average (1.26% effective rate). However, the area's unique appeal and limited inventory keep demand steady. Direct flights from Seattle have made Girdwood more accessible to West Coast buyers who are avoiding international trips. The local municipal council has approved tax breaks for rental property upgrades, which will remain in effect through 2026. Despite recent tariff impacts, Girdwood's 10-year average price growth remains strong at 5.4%. This continues to draw investors looking for both rental potential and future appreciation. Truro, on Cape Cod, is seeing both volatility and opportunity. Data from Rocket Homes showed the median home price rose 4.7% to $944,500 in April 2025. However, the increase was not uniform with all kinds of houses. Five-bedroom homes dropped 38% year-over-year, and inventory jumped 19% month-over-month. Conversely, one-bedroom homes soared 50% in price, reflecting shifting buyer demand. Despite a 12% decline in European summer rentals, domestic visitors keep occupancy high, and recent flood-control projects have boosted buyer confidence. Sellers are offering flexible terms, and the market remains favorable for buyers as the area prepares for an eventual rebound in international tourism. More From GOBankingRates Surprising Items People Are Stocking Up On Before Tariff Pains Hit: Is It Smart? Clever Ways To Save Money That Actually Work in 2025 Sources: Oxford Economics, 'Inbound travel to US in steep decline' Rocket Homes, 'North Myrtle Beach Market Report' Rocket Homes, 'Dauphin Island Market Report' Ownwell, 'Girdwood, Anchorage County, Alaska Trends' Rocket Homes, 'Truro Market Report' This article originally appeared on 5 Tourist Towns To Buy Property in While Tariffs Are High
