In an alarming development, the U.S. tourism industry is facing a catastrophic collapse as major airlines withdraw their services, leaving airports eerily quiet and travelers scrambling for alternatives. A staggering $21 billion has evaporated from America’s tourism revenue, with foreign visitors plummeting by 14% in March alone—a decline significant enough to erase an entire year’s worth of tourism exports.

Airports like JFK and LAX now echo with the sound of empty luggage wheels, as 10 international airlines have cut routes that once brought millions into the U.S. economy. The culprit? A toxic mix of tariffs, stringent border regulations, and rising safety concerns are transforming the once-thriving consumer paradise into a no-go zone for international travelers.

Play Airlines, the last budget carrier from Iceland, is set to completely abandon U.S. routes, starting with New York on September 1st. This mass exodus has already triggered a 17% drop in arrivals from northwestern Europe, marking the first double-digit decline since tourism rebounded post-pandemic. Major airlines like Lufthansa and Qatar Airways are redirecting their fleets to more lucrative markets in Asia and Europe, leaving American cities in the dust.

The fallout is severe: every lost traveler equates to a staggering $1,800 in local spending, and the ripple effects are felt in restaurants, tour operators, and ride-sharing services. Analysts warn that if this trend continues, the U.S. could lose up to 1 million high-spending visitors annually, further deepening the economic crisis.

With Wall Street sounding alarms about a potential tourism contagion spreading from coastal hubs to the heartland, the question looms: can the U.S. reclaim its status as a premier destination? As tariffs and traveler apprehensions persist, the clock is ticking for Washington to act. Without immediate intervention, America’s once-bustling tourism industry risks becoming a ghost town.