European travelers pull back from U.S. visits despite growth elsewhere
Source: Skift
Western European tourists are visiting the U.S. in measurable decline, and emerging market growth from China and South America isn't compensating—a sharp reversal from the post-pandemic rebound narrative that dominated 2022-2023. Western Europe represents both high-spend leisure travelers and corporate visitors; their retreat signals either price sensitivity to a stronger dollar, lingering hesitation about U.S. safety or politics, or normalization after pandemic pent-up demand. Each diagnosis carries different implications for U.S. hospitality, airlines, and attractions relying on international premium segments. The arithmetic is plain: if you can't replace European volume and value with emerging market travelers, you're managing growth, not capturing it.