USA tourism collapses: German travelers stay away!

USA tourism collapses: German travelers stay away!

The U.S. tourism industry faces significant challenges influenced by political uncertainties and economic conditions. Despite the continued appeal of the United States as a travel destination for Germans, current figures show a dramatic decline in visitor numbers. This is particularly clear through the experiences of Frank Marx, a German tour guide in San Francisco who has been offering tours to German tourists since 2019.

Marx, who moved from Trier to San Francisco in 2017, reports a 50 to 60 percent decrease in inquiries. In recent weeks, the number of tours he leads has dropped from five a week to just two or three. Business travelers are currently the main source of its bookings, underscoring the leisure travel industry's struggles.

Decline in tourist numbers

The numbers speak for themselves. According to surveys by sueddeutsche.de The number of foreign tourists in the USA fell by 12 percent in March 2023 compared to the previous year. The German market is particularly affected, where the decline is even more pronounced at 28 percent. Sanel Huskanovic, a tour guide in New York, confirms that he too has noticed a drop in bookings and concerned inquiries from potential travelers.

According to experts, political uncertainties and economic factors such as inflation in the USA, tariffs and security concerns are contributing to this decline. The problems were further compounded by reports of German citizens being arrested upon entry, despite having complete documentation. These events have led many Germans to become increasingly skeptical about traveling to the USA, including media personality Collien Ulmen-Fernandes.

Impact on the industry

The impact on U.S. tourism is significant. Experts warn of possible billions in losses for the industry if this trend continues. To illustrate this difficult situation, airlines such as Lufthansa have already reported weak bookings for the third quarter, particularly for economy tickets. In addition to the immediate booking figures, industry representatives report that the global decline in bookings is around 11 percent, while the German market even fell by 50 percent.

Nevertheless, there is also hope. Both Marx and Huskanovic remain optimistic that German tourists will one day return. The US tourism industry is in constant anticipation of an early recovery and hopes for a change in current circumstances.

The US tourism crisis is an example of the challenges many countries face in the current global situation. Efforts to win back travelers and address the various concerns will be crucial to lead the industry towards a better future.

For more information about the decline in travelers to the US and the resulting challenges, please read the article on spiegel.de.