As international tourism shifts, travelers who once flocked to the United States are increasingly choosing alternative destinations.
Canada, for example, saw domestic tourism rise after many citizens skipped U.S. trips, with hotel occupancy hitting its highest level since 2019.
Instead of crossing the border south, Canadians are opting for local experiences or traveling to Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Europe is gaining momentum too. Tourists from Western Europe are favoring regional trips, while Asian travelers are heading to Europe and the Middle East instead of the U.S.
A survey of Southeast Asian travelers showed 58% now prefer Southeast and East Asia, while 53% choose Europe, and nearly half favor Australia and New Zealand.
These figures highlight a growing preference for destinations that are closer, cheaper, or politically more welcoming.
Countries such as Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey are forecast to see record increases in arrivals compared to 2019, gaining millions of visitors who might otherwise have considered the U.S.
France, Italy, Greece and Mexico are also drawing more global tourists. With this shift, the U.S. is steadily losing ground while other destinations strengthen their place in the international travel market.
The lost revenue is set to benefit other countries, notably Canada and Latin America, as travelers seek out other destinations or decide to stay within their own countries or regions.