Foreign visitors are canceling trips to the United States in record numbers as U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war escalated, with March seeing a nearly 12 percent decline year on year in arrivals. The U.S. tourism industry has long maintained a significant trade surplus with the rest of the world, generating about 1.3 trillion U.S. dollars in revenue for 2024 and supporting around 15 million jobs, according to the U.S. Travel Association. According to data from the U.S. International Trade Administartion, the decrease was particularly pronounced among visitors from Central America which dropped by 24 percent and Western Europe, down by 17 percent, with Germany and Spain showing the most dramatic declines at 28 percent and 25 percent, respectively. Notably, these figures exclude visitors from Canada, the largest source of international tourists to the United States. The U.S. Travel Association estimates that Canadians contribute around 20 million visits annually, escaping harsh winters to vacation in states like Florida, Arizona, and California, where they generate over 20 billion dollars in spending. But road trips from Canada to the United States have fallen by 32 percent, while the number of people returning to Canada by plane from the United States has decreased by 13.5 percent. This follows Canada's "shop local" campaign launched in response to U.S. tariffs, which has significantly impacted traditional winter sun destinations like Florida and Arizona. Industry experts suggest multiple factors are driving the trend, including the ongoing trade war's ripple effects, negative political rhetoric affecting America's image abroad, and stricter border controls creating an unwelcoming perception. The economic consequences could be severe. The U.S. Travel Association warns the sector might lose 72 billion dollars throughout this year. Goldman Sachs estimates that in the worst-case scenario, reduced tourism could cut 0.3 percent from the U.S. GDP, equivalent to some 90 billion dollars. Tourism Economics, an industry research firm, projected a 9.4 percent decline in international visitors to the United States in 2025 in its report released on April 3, a dramatic reversal from the nine percent increase it had originally forecast at the beginning of the year. Adam Sacks, president of the institute said that despite tourism officials' efforts to counter negative perceptions, the U.S. tourism still faces significant challenges given global backlash against Trump's policies.
Trump's trade war batters US tourism with sharp decline in inbound visitors
A Chinese envoy on Thursday called on all peace-loving countries to promote the implementation of the two-state solution as it is the sole viable solution to the Middle East issue.
The call was made by China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Geng Shuang at a commemoration marking the 77th anniversary of the Nakba ("catastrophe" in Arabic) which was held by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
The Nakaba refers to the mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. It remains a deeply traumatic event in the Palestinian collective memory and continues to shape their struggle for justice and for their right to return to their homes.
Urging steps to realize a comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian question, Geng stressed that only through the implementation of the two-state solution can the Nakba be consigned to history.
Seventy-seven years ago, more than half of the Palestinian people were expelled or fled from their homes during the Arab-Israeli war, and they have since embarked on the arduous journey of striving for their legitimate rights and interests, Geng said.
"Today, 77 years later, the historical injustice suffered by the Palestinian people has not only remained unaddressed, but has even worsened," he pointed out.
Noting the question of Palestine, at the core of the Middle East issue, bears on peace, stability, and long-term security of the region, Geng said the implementation of the two-State solution is the only viable way to resolve the question.
The imperative now is to immediately realize a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and alleviate the humanitarian disaster, Geng said, urging Israel to implement the United Nations Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, comply with the International Court of Justice provisional measures and advisory opinion, and immediately cease all military attacks and violations of international law, especially the International Humanitarian Law.
"On the question of Palestine, China, upholding fairness and justice, remains steadfast in its support for the justice cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights for the early establishment of the fully sovereign and independent State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and for the early admission of the State of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations," Geng added.
Chinese envoy stresses two-state solution as sole viable solution to Middle East issue
