The Trump administration moved forward with controversial proposals to limit journalists and foreign visitors’ visas, further adding to the complications. This is in the context of a historic drop in inbound travel to the U.S. for the second half of Trump’s presidency. The new measures have sparked panic among travel and tourism stakeholders. They involve stops like cutting the length of visas for foreign journalists, for tourists to register their social media presence.
The foreign journalists would have their visas shortened under proposed changes. Rather than allowing visits up to five years, these visas would only allow stays of eight months. This action follows the administration’s wider crackdown on anti-immigrant, anti-trans policies. Additionally, all tourists seeking entry into the United States would be mandated to present up to five years of social media activity prior to their arrival. However, this requirement has been met with privacy-related concerns and a potential chilling effect on free expression.
Tourism to the United States is experiencing a historic freefall. California travel officials are already forecasting a 9% decrease in foreign travel this year alone. In short, the Trump administration brought a sledgehammer to bear in ramping up immigration enforcement. This trend was further exacerbated by a recent ban on asylum claims from more than 30 countries. Data shows a 50% drop in foot traffic over the summer on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, highlighting the tangible impact of these policies on tourist hotspots.
The Trump administration has been moving to shorten visa lengths. They’ve turned the dial on a more general crackdown on visa approvals for anyone who wants to live and work here. Consular officials have been directed to deny visas to anyone suspected of being involved in fact-checking or content moderation, effectively targeting those seen as “responsible for, or complicit in, censorship or attempted censorship of protected expression in the US.”
This is why the administration is now charging a $100 per person fee for every day of national park visitation. This decision simply shifts more of the financial burdens onto visitors. Effective this year, the longstanding free admission on Martin Luther King Jr. Day is gone. This amendment will effectively deter American and foreign visitors alike.
The impacts of these policy changes go far beyond each one less tourist. With the United States set to co-host the World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico next year, experts fear that these new restrictions could deter international fans from attending the event. The recent Federal Register notice issued by the Trump administration invites public comment for two months, indicating that stakeholder feedback may influence the final implementation of these measures.
Together, the administration’s approach is part of a larger effort to re-arrange immigration policy and reduce the number of people allowed to visit our country. Across the globe, international travel surges back from the war in Ukraine and COVID-19 pandemic disruptions. Even more people are starting to ask how these policies will influence the future of inbound U.S. tourism.