Stricter US border controls are discouraging European tourists from visiting the country, according to Europe’s largest package holiday operator.
Tui’s chief executive, Sebastian Ebel, said there had been a “significant decline” in travel to the United States, citing “the atmosphere, what you hear from border control” among the reasons for the drop. He noted that many European travellers were instead choosing Canada or other long-haul destinations such as Africa and Asia.
The comments follow multiple reports of foreign nationals, including Europeans with valid US visas, facing interrogation, detention and deportation. Recent incidents have involved a British tourist, three Germans, a Canadian and an Australian, all of whom were held before being sent home.
The Trump administration is preparing to impose bonds of up to $15,000 for certain tourism and business visas, alongside a proposed $250 “visa integrity fee” for visitors. Asked about the measures, Ebel predicted: “I expect that the impact will be seen, and this policy will change. Will it change in three months, will it change in three years? I have no idea.”
Figures from the US Travel Association show that travel from Canada and Mexico has dropped by 20% in 2025 compared with last year. The industry as a whole is expected to lose billions of dollars in revenue this year as a result of such government actions.
Ebel, however, played down the impact on Tui, saying its US operations were “not of essence for us. It’s a nice long-haul business, good margins, but it’s not in the order of magnitude, not a big thing.”
He stressed that customers would favour destinations offering “seamless travel” and urged for smoother arrangements between the UK and EU. While British travellers can currently use e-gates, they must still have their passports stamped until at least October due to post-Brexit restrictions.
Tui also reported a 2% fall in summer bookings linked to conflict in the Middle East, although a 3% rise in ticket prices has helped offset higher costs.
On Tuesday, Tui raised its full-year profit guidance following robust demand for its hotels and cruises. Shares in the company rose more than 6% after it reported an underlying pre-tax profit of €321m (£277m) between April and June, 38% higher than the same period last year and ahead of analysts’ expectations, boosted in part by the late timing of Easter.
