The US economy will lose 12.5 billion dollars in international tourist spending.

Economic Impact of Lost Spending by International Travellers in the United States

According to the latest World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the US economy could suffer a colossal $12.5 billion loss due to lower spending by international travellers this year. With spending expected to fall to just under $169 billion, down significantly from $181 billion in 2024, this situation is of concern to those in the tourism sector.

The Reasons for this Regression

Several factors are contributing to this decline, mainly linked to the prolonged travel restrictions that have persisted in certain regions of the world. Another potential reason is the increased competition from other international destinations, which have stepped up their tourism promotion to attract more visitors.

In addition, business travel has not yet fully recovered from the downturn experienced during the pandemic, limiting the associated expenditure. For more information on changes in the business sector, visit United States Chamber of Commerce.

Consequences for the American Tourism Sector

This fall in spending is having a direct impact on the tourism and of hotels in the US, potentially leading to job losses and a slowdown in investment in the sector. We can expect :

• A fall in hotel and restaurant bookings.
• A reduction in leisure activities and tourist attractions.
• A fall in the number of trade shows and events organised.

Recovery Strategies

To counter this trend, the American tourism industry could consider innovative strategies to rekindle the interest of international tourists. These include:

• Launch of targeted marketing campaigns to attract new tourist segments.
• Strengthening of partnerships with airlines to offer competitive rates.
• Development of special offers and unique tourist circuits to encourage extended visits.

Tourism organisations can also work with the U.S. Travel Association to implement initiatives to support the sector's recovery.

The Importance of Technological Innovation

In addition, the role of technology should not be underestimated. Tourism businesses investing in digital solutions to enhance the traveller experience could stand out from the crowd. This includes:

• Creation of mobile applications to facilitate travel planning.
• Use of augmented reality technologies to enhance tours.
• Implementation of contactless payment systems for greater convenience.

These innovations could make the United States even more attractive as a destination of choice, even in uncertain times.

This article has been selected, adapted and validated by the Breeziful editorial team. Written and validated by Breeziful.