Following several notable incidents at the US border, it has issued the latest travel advisories and warnings in recent weeks for US travellers, raising concerns about the detrimental impact on the US tourism industry ahead of the summer travel season.
In February, the German citizen was detained for more than two weeks when he and his fiancée, a US citizen, tried to return to the United States after a trip to Mexico. In March, French researchers were denied entry to the US due to a meeting when a border investigator in Houston searched his phone and found a message criticizing the US administration under President Donald Trump. These specific events have been headlined, but it is unclear how many other travelers have encountered problems.
As anxiety about travel to the US grows accordingly, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK are among the European countries that have amended or updated US travel advisories. While some countries have renewed after allegations of visa issues encountered by citizens while trying to enter the US, others have warned LGBTQ+ travelers in light of an executive order of January 20 that requires the US to issue a passport “with an M or F sex marker that matches the customer’s biological sex at birth.”
These changes and events may be beginning to affect transatlantic travel. Summer bookings from Europe to the US fell 25%, according to recent data from Paris-based global hotel operator Accor, summer reservations from Europe to the US, Sébastien Bazin, CEO of Accor Group, said in a recent Bloomberg television interview. Bazin cited “Bad Buzz” as a driving factor for “a rather strong slowdown throughout the Atlantic.”
And what sparks headlines and concerns from non-US travelers are tariffs that have been rolling out in recent weeks by the US administration, including the sweeping round announced by Trump on April 2. Furthermore, the administration has threatened annexes in Canada and Greenland, which has sparked rage among residents in those and elsewhere.
This is all “bad news for the industry.” I travel every weeka recent opinion article entitled “Welcome to Fortress America!” presents a mock conversation between US border agents and tourists trying to enter the country. “This will probably bring us back further as U.S. market share for international travel has not yet reached pre-pandemic levels,” Weissman told Afar in an email.
Weissman said the majority of international travelers don’t have “dramatic encounters” at the US border, but have the “just idea” that they need to hand over electronic devices, scrutinize social media accounts, or face detention while trying to enter the country.
“The uncertainty this creates may lead to miss connecting flights, even if it’s just delayed while being questioned, but it could lead some visitors to consider alternative vacation destinations,” Weissman said. “There are many other destinations that will satisfy you with your holiday dollars.”
This sees some European countries that have recently changed their policies regarding travel to the US
In addition to those listed below, Ireland, Portugal and Norway have updated their advisories when it comes to relating to transgender travelers.
Denmark
The Scandinavian country updated its travel advisory page on March 21 amid concerns that trans travelers could face problems with US travel documents due to the Trump administration’s new gender policy, according to a report from Reuters. Denmark is currently encouraging transgender citizens to contact the US embassy in Copenhagen before their trip to the US
Finland
According to Reuters, on March 14, the world’s happiest country issued an update on the US Travel Advisory. The revised consultation warns Finnish citizens that if their passports have gender markers that are different from those assigned at birth, they may be denied entry.
France
On March 24th, France revised travel advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as reported by the French newspaper. world Other outlets. Currently, French citizens traveling to the US are “highly recommended” to consult with the embassy and certain airlines.
The revised information also points out that travelers (ESTAs) applying for a new visa or electronic system for travel approval should be advised about the US administration’s policies regarding gender. Transgender citizens are encouraged to check the Department of State’s online FAQ.
Germany
As three German citizens have been detained at the US border in recent months, prompting an investigation into how the investigation from Germany has changed, leading them to update travel advisories to the US in an update in mid-March, the EU Nation emphasized that visa or entry exemptions do not guarantee citizen entry, according to a report from Euronews. One of the German citizens detained was a US green cardholder, the outlet said.
The German Foreign Office has also updated its Travel Advice website for travel to the US, highlighting that neither approval nor US visa has acquired entry rights to German citizens through the US ESTA system, the outlet said. However, a spokesman for the German Foreign Ministry also emphasized that the updated guidance does not show travel warnings to the US, Euronows reported.
Netherlands
On March 24, reflecting the movements of other European countries, the Netherlands updated its travel advisories for US travelers, and more specifically, LGBTQ+ travelers.
The Dutch government has also recommended US travelers to read the information provided by the U.S. Human Rights Campaign on the current landscape
“Please note that US laws and customs for LGBTIQ+ people may differ from those in the Netherlands,” the Dutch Foreign Office said. NL times.
UK
The UK has recently strengthened its language on advice on entering the US, highlighting that US border authorities will “set and enforce strict entry rules. If they break the rules, they will be responsible for arresting or detaining them.” Foreign travel advice also suggests that travelers will contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in the UK for more information.
