Decline in tourism hits US economy - Semafor

Overseas visitors to the US are on track to drop by almost two million year-on-year, with even the FIFA Men’s World Cup failing to arrest the decline in tourism.

The slide is hurting the US economy, and as Axios put it, is partly “self-inflicted:” There has been a significant drop in visitors from US allies like Canada and several European countries, which have been a target of Washington’s trade war and taunts.

Meanwhile, China is attracting more visitors with its visa-free entry policies, and Japan’s weak currency is drawing in a record number of tourists.

“We’re the only major country in the world losing visitation,” the head of the US Travel Association said. “It’s mind-boggling.”