More then a few travel industry studies and surveys recently have indicated that there is some trepidation among Americans who are making plans to travel internationally.
It seems Americans are increasingly worried about the reception they’ll receive in other countries that may be alienated or offended by the Trump Administration’s policies and rhetoric.
A July survey of travel advisor sentiment conducted by the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), for instance, found that advisors are “seeing hesitation in their clients, cancellations in their bookings and fear in their conversations,”
The ASTA survey in question was focused on exploring the fallout from recent federal executive actions such as the Trump Administration’s travel bans and sweeping tariffs that have impacted historic U.S. allies.
More than a few travel advisors told TravelPulse directly that they’ve had clients cancel or postpone travel plans this summer amid fears that they’ll receive an icy reception in other countries that are put off by Trump, his policies and commentary.
Now however, a new survey, this one from EF Go Ahead Tours, shows that there may be nothing at all for American travelers to worry about.
The newly published EF Go Ahead Tours Traveler Index offers a measurement of the attitudes of American and Canadian travelers.
In particular, the survey asked older millennial, Gen X, and Baby Boomer travelers from the United States and Canada about their interests and experiences surrounding international travel.
Importantly, the survey responses revealed that the vast majority of American travelers report positive experiences when recently traveling to international destinations, inclusive of Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
More specifically, the survey found that “70 percent of Americans who traveled internationally since January 2025 felt welcomed by locals.”
It seems that for the most part locals in other countries around the world are quite capable of viewing American travelers as distinct from the policies and behaviors of the American government, says Brian Hoyt, vice president of communications for EF World Journeys.
“The results of the survey came back overwhelmingly positive. People said they are absolutely welcomed by locals when they’re abroad and they had a great experience,” Hoyt told TravelPulse.
“Our experience is that the vast majority of travelers are coming back saying they are having a wonderful experience,” added Hoyt. “Locals are able to distinguish between an American and the American government.”
Moreover, Hoyt said that locals in the vast majority of the international destinations that EF World Journeys serves “value the tourism dollars coming into their markets.”
“The reality on the ground is far different then some of the headlines we have being seeing,” continued Hoyt.
American travelers, he says, feel incredibly comfortable in places like in Mexico and the Caribbean, which is especially notable because both are regions that have been the focus of some of Trump’s alienating rhetoric and policies.
And Americans who may have concerns about the reception they’ll receive when traveling abroad in the Trump era are increasingly opting to book trips with tour operators, which Hoyt suggests may make travelers feel like they have provide an added layer of protection.
Both tour operators and travel advisors are experiencing something of a renaissance at a time when travelers may want an added layer of security when traveling. Business for tour companies like EF Journeys is booming.
“There is this sense among travelers that there’s safety in community,” said Hoyt.
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