As the United States marks its 250th anniversary and hosts the world's largest sporting event in 2026, foreign tourism has notably declined since President Donald Trump resumed office in 2025. Canadian government data reveal a 25 percent decrease in trips to the U.S. during 2024 and 2025. Furthermore, a May report from the University of Toronto School of Cities, using cellphone data, found Canadians made 42 percent fewer trips to the U.S. last year compared to 2024.

Experts attribute this downturn to a combination of increased travel barriers and growing anti-American sentiment. In 2025, the U.S. State Department introduced a requirement for visitors from approximately 50 countries to post a bond of up to $15,000 before entry. A World Travel & Tourism Council survey found that 34 percent of respondents were less likely to travel to the U.S. due to this rule.

Tourism Economics, a travel data forecasting firm, described the situation as a severe "sentiment drag" on U.S. tourism. Bill Hornbuckle, president and CEO of MGM Resorts, noted during an August 2025 earnings call that "international visitation has been an issue, not only for Las Vegas, but a lot of destinations."

Additionally, nearly 80 percent of Canadians believe that Trump's presidency has weakened U.S.-Canada relations, a sentiment that may further discourage travel.

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Reason