Crisp on Saturday
Life at 60+, by Starts at 60 editor Brian Crisp
I bumped into my neighbour the other day — an elegant lady in her 80s, out walking her daughter’s two dogs — and she dropped a travel bombshell: after 23 years, she and her husband aren’t heading to Hawaii for their annual holiday. Her explanation? “Donald Trump.”
Now, I’m not here to sling political stones, but this neighbourly comment strikes at something real that’s been unfolding in global travel patterns. Australia isn’t alone in pulling back from U.S. trips – and the data suggests the trend is broader than one rusted BBQ in suburban Brisbane.
Recent figures show that travel to the United States dipped across several key markets in 2025, even as global tourism spending ticked up. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council and U.S. tourism statistics, international arrivals to the United States fell about 6 per cent in 2025, contrasting with a global increase in tourism spending of around 6.7 per cent.
More granular figures indicate that in April 2025 Australians travelling to the U.S. declined by around 6.2 per cent compared with the previous year, even though outbound travel overall from Australia was rising strongly.
And it’s not just Aussies: in March, inbound international arrivals to the U.S. dropped sharply as well, with overseas trips down around 11.6 per cent compared with the same period in 2024 – with steep falls from regions as varied as Western Europe and South America.
So what’s behind this shift?
For many travellers, perceptions matter – not just the weather or flight costs. Contemporary global tourism research points to a mixture of factors: changes in immigration policy, added visa costs (like a new $250 visa processing fee), tighter border enforcement and a sense among some potential visitors that travel to the U.S. has become trickier or less welcoming.
To be clear, the U.S. remains a travel titan on the world stage – its tourism economy is still one of the largest globally. But in a world where Europeans can stroll through historic cities and Asia offers rich cultural variety, America’s share of international visitors appears to be wobbling.
In Canada – historically a huge source of U.S. tourists – traffic over borders was reported down almost 20 per cent in parts of 2025, contributing to hotel vacancies and weaker sales in border communities.
And it’s not just the “usual suspects” feeling the shift: travel from countries across Western Europe and Asia has also sagged, with the U.S. seeing fewer flights, lower bookings and – as one travel analyst put it – “tourists choosing destinations that feel more relaxed, welcoming and straightforward to navigate.”
So while your neighbour’s comment might have been delivered with a conspiratorial wink, her sentiment reflects a broader pattern: America, once the default for aspirational world travel, is facing stiff competition on perception and convenience grounds. Whether that’s due to policy changes, cultural sentiment, or just savvy travellers chasing new experiences in Europe, Asia and beyond, the figures are fairly clear: 2025 was not a banner year for U.S. inbound tourism.
Personally, I’ll be heading to Vancouver later this year and I’ve already ruled out airlines that only transit through Los Angeles or San Francisco. You could call it cautious, call it preference – but it’s part of a new travel landscape where the “America first” narrative abroad doesn’t always translate to “come visit us”.
Will this trend continue through 2026 and beyond? Tourism economists suggest the industry may rebound as big events like the FIFA World Cup and anniversary celebrations approach, but recovery isn’t forecast to hit pre-pandemic peaks until at least 2029.
For now, however, stories like my neighbour’s – and the data behind them – show that travel decisions these days are shaped by more than sunshine and sea breezes. They’re about comfort, reassurance and the sense that a destination truly wants you there.
And if that very human feeling lingers more strongly elsewhere, it’s no surprise that travellers are reaching for their passports in new directions.
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