A British family's dream vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, has been called off, with the parents citing rising concerns over recent violence in the United States and the current political atmosphere as their reasons. Michelle Cowley, a communications specialist from London, had meticulously planned the $16,000 getaway for her two young children, aged seven and eleven, over nearly two years. The trip was envisioned as a "perfect getaway" for the family.
The decision to cancel the trip came following the children's exposure to viral footage of the shootings of anti-ICE protesters Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis last month. The incident, which led to nationwide protests and significant social media attention, deeply disturbed the Cowley children.
Furthermore, the family expressed unease with the broader U.S. political climate under President Donald Trump's administration. Cowley pointed to Trump's hardline stance on immigration, controversial comments about annexing Greenland, and criticism of British military efforts in Afghanistan as contributing factors to their decision to avoid the U.S. for the time being. "We have decided that it really is not the place we want to be at the moment," Cowley told The New York Times.
This personal account mirrors a worrying trend for the U.S. tourism industry. Recent data from the World Travel and Tourism Council indicates that the U.S. is the only major global destination to have experienced a reduction in the number of foreign visitors last year. A 4.8% decrease in January tourism numbers compared to January 2025 and an overall fall of roughly 11 million international travelers over the past year have industry officials concerned about billions of dollars in potential losses.
Canada, generally the second-largest source of visitors to the U.S. after Mexico, saw a 28% drop in tourism in January year-over-year. Las Vegas, a city heavily reliant on tourism, has felt the impact acutely. Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, reported that Canadian travelers have expressed discontent with U.S. trade tariffs and political statements.
The World Travel and Tourism Council also noted declines in travel from European countries like Germany and France, estimating up to $15.7 billion in lost tourism spending. Erik Hansen, senior vice president at the U.S. Travel Association, emphasized the significant economic repercussions, stating, "When 11 million international visitors aren't showing up, the result is billions of dollars in economic losses to the travel industry."
Experts suggest that the downturn in U.S. tourism could be due to several factors, including stringent visa policies, increased scrutiny of travelers' social media, and wider political tensions. While families like the Cowleys have been influenced by safety concerns and political disagreements, tourism analysts also point to currency fluctuations, global economic pressures, and shifts in consumer confidence as potential causes for the decline.
The White House has not responded directly to the tourism figures but has stood by its immigration policies as essential for national security and border control.
