Airlines dispute White House claims

Air France and Lufthansa have reported declines in U.S.-bound travel and publicly countered the Trump administration’s optimistic portrayal of booming tourism

Despite White House assertions that international tourism to the U.S. is on the rise, major European airlines and industry analysts report a different reality. The discrepancy between the administration’s claims and industry numbers has sparked renewed debate about the true state of U.S. inbound tourism.

Key takeaways

• Sharp declines in European travel: Travel to the U.S. from Germany and Spain dropped 30% and 25%, respectively, in March 2025, according to Tourism Economics.
• Consumer hesitation over U.S. border policies: Airline CEOs noted that customers are delaying ticket purchases due to uncertainty about U.S. border and immigration enforcement.
• Real-life incidents fuel travel warnings: Highly publicized detentions of European nationals attempting to enter the U.S. have contributed to widespread caution and updated travel advisories from several governments.
• Travel advisories issued: Multiple countries, including Germany, France, the UK, and Canada, have warned their citizens of increased scrutiny and risk of detention when entering the U.S.

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