Fears rise over international travel as Americans cancel trips amid safety concerns, border detentions

Mary S., a marketing professional from Arizona, used to think nothing of driving across the Mexican border or flying abroad for work and leisure. This summer, however, she's cancelling those plans. Her reason? Anxieties around airline safety, rising anti-American sentiment, and what she sees as an increasingly hostile environment for re-entering the United States — particularly for those who’ve criticised the Trump administration online, the BBC reported.

“There’s no way I’m going anywhere near an airport or border crossing,” Mary said, citing both technical aviation concerns and fears over political retaliation. Her story echoes a growing trend of apprehension among US travellers during what was once considered peak vacation season.

Border anxiety and political profiling

The arrest and questioning of Twitch streamer Hasan Piker last week at Chicago O’Hare International Airport — where he was allegedly asked “Do you like Donald Trump?” — has sparked fresh fears among Americans wary of political profiling. In response, the Department of Homeland Security defended the detainment as part of a “routine, lawful process.” But it has not eased public discomfort.

Travel advisors say the chilling effect is real. “Permanent residents and even some citizens are cancelling their international trips,” said Tamara Lidbom of Anytime Travel Agency. “They’re afraid they won’t be allowed back in.”

Aviation safety in the spotlight

Airline safety fears, though statistically unfounded, have also spiked. Newark Airport — one of the busiest in the country — has seen repeated outages in its control tower, severe staffing shortages, and reports that only three air traffic controllers were on duty at one point last week.

While National Transportation Safety Board data confirms that aviation safety is still well within historical norms, online discourse tells a different story. Posts related to flight anxiety and aviation incidents have soared on platforms like X and Reddit since early 2024, according to analytics firm Storyful.

“Last year, almost no one asked about airline safety,” said Sarah Magnoni of Harmony Travel Collective. “Now, it’s one of the first things they bring up.”

Economic pressures and visa hurdles

Adding to the uncertainty is a weakening dollar and rising travel costs. The US dollar recently hit a three-year low against the euro, and inflation fears persist at home. Some countries, such as the UK, have also introduced new visa requirements for US travellers, further discouraging spontaneous international trips.

Meanwhile, Skift’s recent travel industry report shows significant declines in outbound bookings — especially to destinations like Canada, France, Mexico, and Brazil. Canadian flight bookings dropped 22%, and hotel reservations fell 34% after a diplomatic spat with Washington.

Inbound tourism hit harder

While Americans reconsider trips abroad, international tourists are also rethinking visits to the US. The World Travel & Tourism Council estimates the US is on track to lose $12.5 billion in international tourism revenue this year. Foreign arrivals from Western Europe fell 17% in March 2025 compared to the previous year — the steepest drop since the post-pandemic recovery began.

“This is a wake-up call,” said WTTC CEO Julia Simpson. “The world’s largest travel economy is losing ground — not because of demand, but because of hostile policy and poor planning.”

Domestic travel surges as 'dupes' rise

For Americans like Emily Dreilich, who cancelled her Bolivia trip, domestic travel is proving a safer bet. “It’s just not worth the risk when so much feels unpredictable,” she said.

Stateside destinations are stepping in to fill the gap. Places like Vail, Colorado are marketing themselves as “European-style” escapes that don’t require passports. Others, like Santa Fe and Sedona, are being pitched as “dupes” for Spain or Morocco — sans the border stress.

“We’ve seen a rise in intra-state bookings,” said Alex Alioto of Whimstay. “People are sticking close to home — Californians exploring California, Texans staying in Texas.”

Travel in the Trump era: Uncertainty prevails

Whether it’s airport staffing woes, political profiling at the border, or global economic ripple effects, this summer marks a turning point in American travel behaviour. The once-simple promise of an overseas getaway has become a fraught equation of risk, cost, and unpredictability — and it’s one that many are choosing to avoid altogether.