TRUMP FURIOUS AS U.S. AIRPORTS EMPTY AFTER 3 MILLION TOURISTS CANCEL TRIPS
In a shocking turn of events, the U.S. tourism industry is reeling as 3 million international visitors have canceled their trips, triggering a staggering $21 billion revenue loss this summer. Once-thriving airports like JFK and LAX now echo with emptiness, as the fallout from deteriorating U.S.-Canada relations and aggressive immigration policies sends shockwaves through the travel sector.
The decline is stark: Canadian tourist visits to the U.S. plummeted nearly 40% in May alone, with new data revealing that bookings on Canada-U.S. routes have plunged by 70% year-over-year. Travelers are fleeing to friendlier destinations like Mexico and Europe, leaving behind deserted terminals and vacant hotel rooms. The situation has escalated to the point where airlines are slashing schedules and cutting over 320,000 seats from peak summer months.
Political missteps, including new fingerprint registration requirements for Canadians staying longer than 30 days, have fueled consumer anxiety, prompting Ottawa to issue travel advisories warning citizens to reconsider trips to the U.S. The narrative has shifted from post-pandemic recovery to a full-blown crisis, as European arrivals have also dropped by 17%, with some airlines resorting to pandemic-era pricing just to fill seats.
Cities like New York and Las Vegas are feeling the pinch, with local economies at risk as international tourists, who typically spend significantly more than domestic travelers, vanish. The once-bustling streets and attractions are now shadows of their former selves, with businesses warning of job losses and reduced tax revenues.
As the U.S. tourism landscape shifts dramatically, the question looms: how long can America afford to keep its airports empty and its allies wary? With a credibility crisis brewing, Washington’s hardline stance may need to change quickly if the nation hopes to reclaim its status as the world’s premier travel destination. The stakes have never been higher, and the clock is ticking.