New York : The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) released data stating the United States could lose USD 12.5 billion in international spending this year, as Donald Trump's immigration crackdown and harsh visa policies are scaring travelers away.

The spending on tourism is now expected to fall by 22.5 percent, from USD 181 billion in 2024 to less than USD 169 billion, as per the Economic Impact Research report by WTTC.

"The US is welcoming fewer visitors from its neighbors and countries further afield, which is a clear indicator that the global appeal of the US is slipping," the report said. It further added that this drop is expected to deeply wound jobs and businesses across the US.

Industry stakeholders claimed, travelers are feeling unwelcome, leading to a drop in visitor number.

Policies implemented during Trump's presidency focused on stricter immigration enforcement. There are uncertainties and complications regarding obtaining and using US visas. Several incidents of foreign travelers being detained and questioned at US airports and borders are prevalent.

According to WTTC, in 2024, the travel and tourism market in the US, also known to be the largest in the world, contributed a massive USD 2.36 trillion to the country's economy. However, 90 percent of these earnings came from inter-nation or domestic travel.

In 2024, the United States saw 72.4 million international visitors, which marked a decrease of 7 million compared to 2019. International arrivals have continued to drop this year, with notable declines in March from major markets such as Canada, the UK, and South Korea.