Mexico Sets to Join Canada, UK, Germany, Japan, and More as Tourists from These Countries Could Vanish from US Under New Trump Administration Plan Requiring Five Years of Social Media History Declaration for First-Time Entrants

Published on December 10, 2025

By: Tuhin Sarkar

Mexico is set to join Canada, the UK, Germany, Japan, and several other countries under a new U.S. travel policy that could see tourists from these nations vanish from the U.S. travel scene. The Trump administration’s latest proposal requires first-time entrants to declare up to five years of their social media history. This major shift in U.S. immigration and travel regulations could have significant consequences for international tourism.

Mexico, along with countries like the UK, Germany, and Japan, may see fewer of their citizens visiting the U.S. as a result of this stringent new requirement. The idea of sharing personal online history has already raised concerns among travelers from these nations. As a result, Travel and Tour World urges readers to stay informed and read the full story to understand how these new plans will shape the future of travel and tourism to the United States. The impact could be more far-reaching than anticipated.

The Vanishing Tourists: Why The U.S. Is Losing Its Global Appeal

In 2025, a troubling trend is sweeping through the global tourism industry. Tourists from visa-free countries, who once flocked to the United States in large numbers, are now staying away. As countries like the United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany face significant declines in US tourism, the reasons behind this phenomenon are both alarming and complex. Despite the United States’ longstanding Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows citizens from 42 countries to travel to the US for up to 90 days without a visa, visitors are simply not showing up in the numbers they once did. This article breaks down the country-by-country reasons behind the “vanishing tourists” and how these countries are affecting U.S. tourism.

As of 2025, the following 42 countries are part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program:

1. Andorra
2. Australia
3. Austria
4. Belgium
5. Brunei
6. Chile
7. Czech Republic
8. Denmark
9. Estonia
10. Finland
11. France
12. Germany
13. Greece
14. Hungary
15. Iceland
16. Ireland
17. Italy
18. Japan
19. South Korea
20. Latvia
21. Liechtenstein
22. Lithuania
23. Luxembourg
24. Malta
25. Monaco
26. Netherlands
27. New Zealand
28. Norway
29. Portugal
30. San Marino
31. Singapore
32. Slovakia
33. Slovenia
34. Spain
35. Sweden
36. Switzerland
37. Taiwan
38. United Kingdom
39. Belgium
40. Portugal
41. Poland
42. Romania

United Kingdom: A Once Loyal Visitor Base Now Fading Away

The United Kingdom has always been one of the top contributors to U.S. tourism. In 2024, U.K. nationals made up a significant portion of the international visitor arrivals. According to the latest reports from the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.K. visitors accounted for nearly 6 million arrivals, making it one of the largest source markets. However, by early 2025, U.K. tourist arrivals plummeted by 17%, a shocking decline compared to previous years.

Why are U.K. Tourists Staying Away?
The main reason behind this decline is the rising cost of travel. For U.K. residents, long-haul flights to the U.S. have become prohibitively expensive. Add to that the U.S.’s high living costs, including expensive hotels, dining, and transportation, and the United States is no longer the affordable destination it once was. Additionally, political tensions and a perceived increase in entry restrictions due to stricter visa and immigration policies have discouraged British tourists from visiting the U.S. Simply put, the U.K. has started to turn towards closer, cheaper destinations in Europe and beyond.

The Numbers Speak for Themselves
In the first quarter of 2025, U.K. arrivals dropped by 17% from the previous year, marking a historic downturn. With flights to Paris, Barcelona, and other European cities being more affordable and hassle-free, the U.K. is no longer the U.S.’s tourism breadwinner.

Germany: Another Major Source Market Seeing Alarming Decline

Germany, one of the largest source markets for U.S. tourism, has also seen its numbers dwindle in 2025. In 2024, Germany contributed around 4 million international visitors to the U.S., but the early figures for 2025 show a decline in German arrivals.

Why the Sudden Drop from Germany?
Rising travel costs are a significant factor here too. As with the U.K., German travelers are being priced out of U.S. tourism. In addition, stricter U.S. immigration and security measures are creating a less welcoming atmosphere for tourists. The hassle of obtaining additional authorizations or dealing with extended processing times at immigration has been a key deterrent.

U.S. Losing Out to European Competitors
Germany has long had strong ties with the U.S., but today, many Germans are opting for other European destinations where the experience is just as rich but far more affordable. Cities like London, Paris, and Milan offer similar cultural experiences, with fewer travel barriers and lower costs. The trend is evident in the 12% decrease in German tourists to the U.S. in the first months of 2025.

Japan: Once Loyal, Now Hesitant to Visit

Japan has always been a vital player in U.S. tourism, with nearly 2 million Japanese visitors arriving annually prior to the pandemic. But the situation has changed. Despite its inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program, Japan’s tourist numbers to the U.S. have dipped significantly.

What’s Causing Japanese Tourists to Stay Away?
Similar to Europe, the rising cost of travel is a huge factor. Long-haul flights from Japan to the U.S. are more expensive than ever, and Japan’s citizens are now turning to closer Asian destinations such as South Korea and Thailand. The economic impact of the pandemic is still felt deeply in Japan, and the preference for more affordable alternatives has pushed many tourists away from the U.S.

The Strain on U.S.-Japan Travel
Japan has seen a steady decrease in U.S. tourism in 2025, with figures dropping by 10% from the previous year. Japan’s strong cultural and economic ties to the U.S. have made this decline especially significant. However, the increasing cost of U.S. travel, combined with the changing global economic environment, is forcing Japanese tourists to reconsider their travel plans.

Western Europe: A Region Once Dominant in US Tourism Now Facing Declines

Western Europe has traditionally been the backbone of international tourism to the United States. Countries such as France, Spain, and Italy contributed millions of visitors each year. But now, those numbers are on the decline, and the trend is particularly notable in 2025.

Why Is Western Europe Turning Away?
The reasons for the decline in tourism from Western Europe are multifaceted. Rising airfare prices, particularly due to increased demand post-pandemic, have made U.S. travel unaffordable for many Europeans. Combined with higher living costs in the U.S. and the increasing perception that the U.S. is becoming less welcoming, Europeans are now choosing destinations closer to home or in the Middle East and Asia.

The Numbers Are Alarming
Western European tourist arrivals have dropped by a significant 17% in the first quarter of 2025. The allure of U.S. destinations like New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami is fading, with tourists instead flocking to cities like Barcelona, Rome, and Berlin, where they get a comparable experience without the hefty price tag.

Mexico: A Ray of Hope Amid Declining Numbers

Mexico is an anomaly in this global tourism decline. As the U.S. struggles to attract tourists from other countries, Mexico is experiencing a tourism boom. In fact, Mexico has become the U.S.’s largest source market in recent years, surpassing both Canada and the U.K.

Why Are Mexicans Flocking to the U.S.?
The geographic proximity and lower travel costs make the U.S. an easy and affordable destination for many Mexicans. With long-standing cultural and familial ties to the U.S., travel between the two nations remains high. Mexico also benefits from relaxed entry requirements and relatively low flight costs to popular destinations like Texas, California, and Arizona.

Unmatched Growth in 2025
Mexico’s tourist arrivals to the U.S. saw a significant 13.9% growth in 2025, a stark contrast to the decline seen in other international markets. The strong tourism numbers from Mexico prove that when travel is affordable and accessible, visitors will continue to flock to the U.S., regardless of political or economic tensions.

Canada: The Long-Time Neighbor Now Feeling the Pressure

Canada, the U.S.’s closest neighbor, has always been a major source of tourism. However, 2025 has seen a decline in Canadian visitors, marking a worrying trend for US tourism.

Why Are Canadians Staying Home?
Despite their close proximity to the U.S., Canadians are being deterred by the increasing cost of travel. Higher airfares, coupled with the rising cost of living in U.S. cities, have made the U.S. less appealing to Canadian tourists. Additionally, the tightening of security measures and complex immigration policies are starting to wear on Canadian travelers’ patience.

Early Signs of Decline
In the first quarter of 2025, Canadian arrivals to the U.S. decreased by nearly 16.8%, signaling a worrying shift in cross-border tourism. The once robust flow of Canadian tourists is now showing signs of slowing down, and if the trend continues, the U.S. could lose one of its most loyal and consistent markets.

A New Policy for Visa-Free Visitors

Under the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, citizens from 42 countries — including major sources like the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, and France — can enter the U.S. for up to 90 days without the need for a visa. However, the Trump administration’s new proposal takes things a step further. Soon, travelers will need to provide their social media handles and disclose up to five years of their online posts and activity as part of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) process.

What’s Changing?
This new requirement will ask travelers to hand over their social media history, including posts, profiles, and possibly even deleted content, to U.S. authorities. The aim? To vet incoming tourists for security concerns and assess their suitability for entry. If implemented, the changes will be significant for millions of travelers from across the world who were previously able to enter the U.S. with minimal hassle.

For some, this could mark the beginning of the end of visa-free convenience to the U.S.

Why Is the U.S. Making This Change?

The U.S. government argues that reviewing social media activity is an essential security measure. As part of the wider global fight against terrorism, cyber threats, and extremism, this step is seen as necessary for identifying potential risks posed by foreign nationals. It’s also in line with heightened security protocols put in place in recent years following global incidents. However, while the official narrative stresses safety, many travelers and experts worry that it will unfairly target innocent people and place unnecessary burdens on tourists.

Social media, which has become an integral part of daily life, is now being scrutinized for not just personal expression but as a potential window into travelers’ ideologies, affiliations, and activities.

Impact on Global Travelers and U.S. Tourism

This decision is likely to shake up U.S. tourism in profound ways. Tourists from major European and Asian countries that typically send large numbers to the U.S. may think twice before their next trip. The U.S. is already facing tough competition from other countries for international travelers’ attention. Adding the requirement for social media disclosure may make many reconsider.

The Privacy Concern
For many, the idea of submitting years’ worth of personal digital history to a government agency raises privacy issues. While some travelers may not be bothered by the request, others may be uncomfortable with the idea of allowing the U.S. government access to personal information, photos, messages, and other online data.

This concern is especially true for those traveling for leisure, who may not want to disclose every aspect of their online presence just to see a Broadway show or take a vacation in Miami.

Increased Barriers to Travel
This policy could also lead to a decline in spontaneous travel. Many international visitors may opt to visit destinations with fewer entry hurdles and less invasive procedures. In a time when global travel is rebounding and new markets are emerging, travelers are becoming more discerning. If they feel their privacy is at risk, they may decide to look elsewhere.

For example, countries in Europe and Asia — with their affordable flights, rich culture, and open borders — could attract a greater share of tourists who would have previously considered the U.S. as their next destination. It’s becoming clearer that U.S. tourism is competing on a global scale, and the imposition of such intrusive travel requirements could harm the industry.

What Can the U.S. Do to Stop the Decline?

The U.S. government must take immediate action to reverse the declining tourist numbers from visa-free countries. It’s clear that rising travel costs, political uncertainty, and increasing competition from other destinations are playing a major role in this shift. To regain its position as the world’s top tourism destination, the U.S. must make itself more affordable, welcoming, and accessible to international visitors.

If the U.S. is to reclaim its tourism crown, it will need to simplify entry processes, offer more attractive packages for international tourists, and reduce the economic barriers that are pushing visitors away. The United States cannot afford to lose its place as a global tourism leader. The time to act is now.