dw.com
US Tourism in 2025: Decline in Spending by International Visitors
In 2025, the US tourism sector faces a decline in spending by international visitors, projected to fall from US\$181 billion in 2024 to under US\$169 billion, due to stricter border policies, negative country perception, unfavorable exchange rates, and higher accommodation costs.
- What is the extent of the decline in spending by international visitors to the US in 2025, and what are the primary contributing factors?
- Spending by international visitors is projected to decline by US\$12.5 billion, from US\$181 billion in 2024 to under US\$169 billion in 2025. The main factors are stricter border policies, a negative international perception of the US, unfavorable exchange rates, and increased accommodation costs.
- What are the future implications for the US tourism sector, and what strategies could mitigate the decline in spending by international visitors?
- The continued decrease in international tourism spending could negatively impact related industries and local economies. Mitigating this requires addressing negative perceptions of the US abroad, potentially by improving border policies and public diplomacy efforts. Additionally, making the US more cost-competitive could increase tourist spending.
- How does the decline in international tourism affect specific sectors of the US economy, particularly considering the impact on different nationalities?
- The decline disproportionately affects the US retail sector, which relies heavily on international tourists' spending. While Brazilian tourists still represent a significant portion of visitors, their spending has decreased due to a stronger dollar and increased taxes on international transactions. Other countries, like Mexico and Canada, have shown even steeper declines in tourism.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a balanced view of the decline in US tourism from international visitors, acknowledging both the decrease in spending and the continued strong interest from Brazilian tourists. While the negative aspects are highlighted (reduced spending, stricter border policies, visa fees), the article also features success stories of businesses adapting to the changing market and examples of Brazilians still choosing to travel to the US for shopping, indicating a nuanced perspective. The headline, if there was one, is not provided but the overall framing avoids overly sensationalizing the decline.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective. The article uses factual data from reputable sources like the WTTC and Congressional Research Service. While words like "delicado" (delicate) might carry a slightly negative connotation in the original Portuguese, the English translation maintains objectivity. There is no evidence of loaded language or biased word choices.
Bias by Omission
The article could benefit from including data on tourism from other major source countries besides Brazil, Mexico, and Canada to provide a more comprehensive picture of the overall decline. Additionally, the perspectives of US businesses beyond retail (e.g., hospitality, transportation) could enrich the analysis. However, given the focus on Brazilian tourists and the retail sector, these omissions do not significantly distort the overall narrative.
Sustainable Development Goals
The decline in international tourism in the US, particularly from Brazil, negatively impacts economic opportunities for Brazilians involved in tourism-related businesses and exacerbates existing inequalities. While the article doesn't directly address inequality, the reduction in spending by Brazilian tourists, due to currency fluctuations and increased costs, disproportionately affects lower and middle-income Brazilians who may rely on these cheaper goods from the US. This widens the gap between those who can still afford to travel and those who cannot. The shift toward online shopping also potentially favors those with greater access to technology and online payment systems.