International travel patterns are being reshaped by US politics, as a growing number of travellers reconsider visits not only to the United States, but also to destinations that have recently found themselves in Washington’s crosshairs.
This was expected to be a landmark period for US tourism. In 2026, the country marks the 100th anniversary of Route 66, celebrates the 250th anniversary of independence and co-hosts the FIFA World Cup. Under normal circumstances, any one of these milestones would fuel a surge in visitor numbers.
Instead, tourism demand has softened dramatically following a turbulent 12 months in US politics. Since returning to office in January 2025, Donald Trump and his administration have introduced tariffs on long-standing allies, threatened to annex Canada, detained foreign tourists at US borders, expanded deportation policies and signalled plans to scrutinise foreign visitors’ social media activity prior to entry.
The fallout has been swift. Several countries have issued updated travel warnings for the US, while some travellers have openly called for boycotts, describing the country as increasingly “hostile” to visitors. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the US was forecast to lose $12.5bn (£9.35bn) in international visitor spending in 2025. Of the 184 countries analysed by the WTTC in partnership with Oxford Economics, the US was the only one predicted to see a year-on-year decline.
Writing for industry publication Skift, tourism commentator Sarah Kopit observed that “once aspirational, a US trip now feels, for many, like both a political act and a leap of faith”. Skift polling last year found that 46% of respondents were less likely to visit the US because of Trump.
As 2026 begins, the impact appears to be spreading beyond American shores. In the opening days of the year, the US launched airstrikes in Caracas, captured Nicolás Maduro, renewed discussions around acquiring Greenland, and issued threats towards Cuba, Iran, Colombia and Mexico.
For some travellers, this has prompted fresh uncertainty. Heather Storgaard, a Danish resident, was planning a February visit to Greenland but says the rhetoric around potential US intervention has made her cautious. “I’m still thinking of going,” she says, “but I’m looking much more carefully.”
Brazil-based hospitality marketer Jackie Arruda echoes the concern. “What events in Venezuela showed me is that threats can become real plans very quickly,” she says, adding that while she worries about cancelling her trip, she is more concerned about the safety and future of Greenlanders.
In Cuba, Jesús Noguera, owner of Havana-based tour operator Cuba Careo Tours, says the impact has been immediate following US statements describing the country as “ready to fall”.
“The rhetoric has generated real alarm for potential tourists,” he says, citing rescheduled itineraries and anxious enquiries. “Tourism does not thrive in instability, uncertainty and heightened perceptions of risk.”
By contrast, Laura Rendell-Dunn, spokesperson for specialist operator Journey Latin America, says bookings to Colombia and Mexico have not yet been affected, despite US warnings directed at both governments.
For British travel agents, the decision-making process is clearer. Sean Tipton, spokesperson for Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), says there is a firm line. “As soon as the Foreign Office advises against travel, UK tour operators will not send anyone. It’s a duty-of-care issue, and standard travel insurance will not apply if you travel against advice.”
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) currently advises against all travel to Venezuela and Iran, and against all but essential travel to parts of Colombia and Mexico. It does not currently advise against travel to Greenland.
US State Department guidance varies, ranging from “exercise normal precautions” in some regions to “do not travel” warnings in others.
For destinations suddenly under geopolitical scrutiny, attention can be a double-edged sword. Inga Rós Antoníusdóttir, a Nordic travel executive, notes that while the spotlight can deter travellers, it can also raise awareness. For emerging destinations such as Greenland, she suggests the moment could be used to showcase culture, history and nature to a wider audience.
In Iran, Mahdi Eshraghi, CEO of Tehran-based tour agency Surfiran, says declining Western tourism predates recent rhetoric. “Demand has fallen steadily since the US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement in 2018,” he explains, citing long-held perceptions and policy barriers rather than short-term political statements.
Less than two years after being named the world’s top tourism destination by the World Economic Forum, the US is now a case study in how quickly traveller confidence can shift. For an industry built on trust and perception, the first weeks of 2026 have reinforced one lesson: political uncertainty travels fast — and its effects reach far beyond national borders.