The Beyond Borders Tourism Coalition, an alliance of US and Canadian tourism, trade and association members created to advocate for unity during a struggling year for North American tourism, is urging members of both countries’ political leadership to work together to solve the problem, before it gets worse.
According to the new statement, the coalition blames new entry fees for the United States, tariffs, funding cuts and uncertainty at border crossings as to why travel is declining in both countries.
“All members of the Beyond Borders Tourism Coalition urge policymakers in the U.S. and Canada to prioritize negotiation, transparency, and cross-border cooperation over protectionist measures,” the coalition writes. “Divisive trade and fiscal policies need to be reassessed in favor of approaches that restore confidence and support the livelihoods of millions.”
Tourism typically generates $2.5 trillion in North America, supporting over 21 million jobs across the U.S. and Canada.
Yet there are signs of stress: foreign tourist spending is projected to drop by 11 percent this year in the United States, an $18 billion loss. Advanced air bookings between Canada and the U.S. dropped 70 percent year-over-year.
“Rising tariffs and economic headwinds are cutting into consumer purchasing power, reducing demand for U.S. vacations, and forcing our members to reconsider future investment and hiring,” said Terry Dale, President, US Tour Operators Association. “The economic impact has been immediate and measurable—USTOA members are already reporting millions of dollars in lost bookings and revenue, with some projecting a decline of up to 11% in international visitor spending for 2025 alone.”
“These losses translate to cutbacks in operations, workforce reductions, and missed opportunities for communities nationwide,” Dale continued. “The ripple effects across our sector are deeply concerning, underscoring the urgent need for clear, stable policies that support a thriving U.S. travel economy.”
With greater economic uncertainty and higher tariffs, consumers are also tightening their travel budgets, which also leads to less travel overall.
Beyond Borders members include the US Tour Operators Association, the Canadian Association of Tour Operators, the Adventure Travel Trade Association, the National Tour Association, the American Bus Association, the Student and Youth Travel Association, the Indigenous Tourism Association, the International Inbound Travel Association and Destination Original Indigenous Tourism.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
