≡-Now United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia And Japan Visitors Abandon US Travel Plans In Record Numbers Choosing Peaceful Canada Over A Divided And Expensive America Facing Sharp Decline In International Tourism – Viral of Today

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Home » Australia Travel News » Now United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia And Japan Visitors Abandon US Travel Plans In Record Numbers Choosing Peaceful Canada Over A Divided And Expensive America Facing Sharp Decline In International Tourism Monday, July 14, 2025Increasing numbers of British, French, German, Australian, and Japanese travelers are shunning the United States in favor of Canada, due to rising entrance fees, ever-tightening travel policies, and a sour international perception of the U.S. as primary reasons for the change. While previously the U.S. was very attractive to foreign tourists, the U.S. is now considered by them to be politically insecure, unfriendly, and costly—especially in the wake of the new plan to double the ESTA application fee for tourists from 41 nations. Conversely, Canada’s reputation as a secure, open, and tourist-friendly country is attracting record levels of international visitors, making it the new darling for high-spending foreign tourists.United States Faces Billions in Lost Tourism Revenue as International Visitors Turn to Canada Amid Policy and Image ConcernsAmerica is seeing a drastic decline in foreign earnings from tourism, the financial loss having already risen well into the tens of billions. Key to the downturn is a sharp decline in tourists from Canada, a major market which for decades was a heavy earner for the travel economy of America. Nearly 20 million Canadians visited the United States in 2023, injectng an estimated $20.5 billion directly in the U.S. economy. That figure is hardly going to be held, as much of the Canadian tourists are now committing to not visiting the United States at all, citing political and social upheavals as their reason for not visiting the country—the latter, in a few instances, as a direct commentary on current political leaders.This quiet but effective boycott is not restricted to Canada either. More and more foreign visitors from major markets in Europe and Asia are boycotting the United States as well. As indicated in a new global travel survey, more than half of affluent tourists in nations such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and the Netherlands today seem to prefer Canada over the United States. Even the Ontario province is regarded as an alternate destination, and is viewed as friendlier and less exclusionist.Shift Being Led by PerceptionThe sudden about-face away from the United States can be traced to a growing perception gap. Global travelers are treating the U.S. as unfriendly and politically tumultuous, a perception directly at odds with Canada’s reputation as secure, friendly, and culturally diverse. The perception is having tangible effects. Visitors from Europe and elsewhere, long attracted to quintessential U.S. vacation spots like New York, California, and Florida, are heading for the cosmopolitan flair of Toronto, the natural beauty of British Columbia, and historic Quebec.This is especially true for the loss of high-expendure tourists. International tourists tend to be longer-staying, high-spending travelers. The loss not just impacts hotels, restaurants, and attractions, but is felt through local economies as well, as jobs and tax revenues are affected in states depending so much on tourists.Retirement Policy Controversy Contributes to SlumpDespite growing sentiment against its global tourist appeal, the U.S. government recently introduced new policy shifts which may decrease inbound travel further. Controversial in the new draft bill proposed by the administration, “One Big Beautiful Bill,” is an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) price increase. ESTA is a mandatory travel pre-authorization for tourists from 41 visa-waiver countries, most of which are significant allies like the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, and Japan.According to the new revisions, the ESTA price would be doubled, placing an extra financial burden on tourists even prior to their booking of air tickets. The move was not received positively even by travel experts as well as the players in the travel industry, which indicated that increasing the cost of entry when travel market demand is low is sending the wrong message to prospective tourists.While the government maintains that the fee hike is necessary to fund border security and administrative improvements, the timing has raised eyebrows. With America already perceived as an expensive and difficult destination, this additional cost could tip the scales further in favor of competing countries—particularly Canada, which continues to promote a message of openness and inclusivity.Economic Impact by State The impact of declining Canadian and overseas travel is notuniform throughout the United States. Border states, such as New York, Michigan, and Washington, in which Canadian tourists historically made up much of travel spending, are experiencing deeper declines. City hotspots such as New York City and Los Angeles, which are high on long-haul markets from Europe and Asia, are also experiencing fewer hotel, museum, and high-end department store visits.In a few states, the decline in tourism is causing lower staff in hospitality services, lower occupancy levels, and stagnant revenues for local businesses. Economists project that the U.S. travel market will suffer for an extended amount of time, as global travel is on the rebound in other regions.Canada’s Tourism EdgeAt the same time, Canada is benefiting from the change. With selective marketing campaigns and an enduring international image based on multiculturalism and hospitality, Canada is luring the very tourists that are bypassing the United States. Its sound safety record, smooth entry processes, and well-preserved urban areas are all contributing to solidifying that appeal.Major cities such as Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto have reported increases in international arrivals, bolstered by airline partnerships and tourism boards that actively engage overseas markets. With global tourism returning to pre-pandemic levels, Canada’s proactive stance is ensuring it captures a greater share of traveler interest—particularly from Europe and Asia-Pacific countries.Travelers from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, and Japan are increasingly choosing Canada over the United States due to rising entry fees, restrictive policies, and a declining global image. Canada’s welcoming reputation and ease of access make it the preferred alternative for international tourists.A Call for Rethinking StrategyThe current decline in international travel is an inflection point for the travel industry in the United States. Travel stakeholders are impelling federal and state leaders to reassess policies that would discourage tourists, and rather direct their attention toward rebuilding the image of America as a desirable destination. Improving visa policies, enhancing the traveler experience, and making investments in cultural diplomacy that highlights diversity and openness are areas worth considering. As international travel markets become increasingly competitive, warmer, safer, and more accessible countries are capturing market share. Unless the U.S. takes aggressive steps to reclaim overseas travelers and makes policy changes that discourage arrivals, long-standing leadership in international travel is in jeopardy, and an immediate threat is Canada, which is a friendlier neighbor.

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