Anti-American sentiment overseas triggered by President Donald Trump’s trade war and rhetoric toward Canada and the European Union has meant a significant decline in international travelers coming through the gates at Philadelphia International Airport, writes Stephen Stirling and Andrew Seidman for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The decline of international visitors is likely to impact tourism and the Philadelphia region’s economy, warns local tourism officials.
International visitors generated $1.2 billion in economic impact in Philadelphia last year, according to the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Non-U.S. citizens entering the airport is down 10.5 percent since the start of 2025, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data
Since April 27, nearly 88,000 non-U.S. citizens have been processed by the CBP. That’s down 9,237 travelers over the same period a year earlier.
The number of foreign visitors to the U.S. declined 12 percent in March compared to a year ago, according to Tourism Economics.
Canadians returning from trips to the U.S. by land dropped 32 percent in the same period. Canadian air travel also declined.
“The drops are attributable to the global fallout from the intensified ‘America First’ stance,” the firm wrote in an April 11 report.
Read more about the decline in international visitors to Philadelphia Airport in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
