Trump's tariffs and Americans' ties to travel

• Despite the unfavorable economic climate and the controversial decisions of the Trump administration, Americans are determined to continue traveling. This is shown by a new survey by MMGY Global, conducted between April 3 and 5 among a sample of 1,000 adults in the United States.

According to the results, 83% of Americans plan to take leisure trips in the next 12 months – a percentage that shows only a marginal decrease of 4% compared to the February measurement. At the same time, 74% of respondents say they are confident about their household's financial situation in the next six months, with 70% planning trips in the same period.

“Even amid economic uncertainty and divisive political developments, the American traveler remains remarkably resilient,” said Katie Briscoe, CEO of MMGY Global.

Trends

However, this resilience does not mean Americans are traveling without second thoughts. 80% of respondents say they will adjust their behavior, with 33% choosing destinations closer to home, 29% switching international plans to domestic ones, 24% choosing cheaper transportation, and 22% limiting the length of their vacations.

Here are some indicative views, according to a report by the Travelpulse website:

Debra Brown, head of SmartBird World Travel, confirms the trend: “Our retired clients in particular are starting to “cut” or postpone trips, mainly due to the decline in their investment portfolios and uncertainty in the markets.” Even more affluent travelers, she adds, are reexamining their priorities due to rising prices for basic goods.

Resilience with… adjustments

Other tourism professionals, however, do not see it the same way. Tamara Lidbom, owner of Anytime Travel Agency in Arizona, says she has not seen any decrease in bookings, even though her clients are aware of the impact of the new tariffs and government decisions. “My clients are still booking the trips they had planned. Prices have not been affected yet, and the mood for vacations remains high,” she notes.

In the same vein, LaDell Carter, founder of Royal Expression Travels, agrees: “Our clients, who are often high-level executives, have a greater need than ever to disconnect from the noise and regain balance. For them, travel is not a luxury – it is a necessity of well-being.”

Similarly, middle-income travelers may choose four-star instead of five-star hotels, or a sedan instead of private transportation, without abandoning their main goal: escape.

“We need vacations – more than ever.”

Political and economic uncertainty seems, after all, to be strengthening Americans’ motivation to travel – not inhibiting it. As Carter sums it up: “They are not postponing joy. They are prioritizing inner peace. And that, for many, starts with boarding a plane.”

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