Tourism

 Time -  Tourism to the United States has been dropping dramatically since President Donald Trump returned to the Oval Office. Turned off by his policies and in some cases turned away at the border, would-be foreign visitors are increasingly turning their sights to other, more welcoming destinations. And it’s hurting the U.S. economy.

The U.S. was the only country among 184 analyzed in May that the World Travel & Tourism Council projected to see a decline in visitor spending in 2025. While the WTTC estimated a shortfall of $12.5 billion from last year, Forbes suggests that the real shortfall from 2025 expectations is closer to $25 billion based on previous estimates anticipating growth.

New charges levied on visitors may only add another deterrent.  The Republican Party’s massive tax-and-spending legislative package, dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill,” which Trump signed into law on July 4, includes several provisions adjusting the fees immigrants and visitors will have to pay to enter the U.S.

The most notable of these for tourists is a new “visa integrity fee” of at least $250, to be paid by “any alien issued a nonimmigrant visa at the time of issuance.” According to the bill’s text, the fee cannot be waived or reduced and will be adjusted in future years for inflation.