American tourists are reconsidering international trips due to concerns about U.S. politics and potential negative perceptions abroad. A recent survey found that 72% of respondents believe Americans will be perceived more negatively abroad in 2025.
Some travelers, like Terry and Chris Wells, a Georgia-based couple, have put off their summer trip to Seoul, South Korea, due to the tumultuous political climate in the United States. They now plan to visit Hawaii instead, despite having previously booked a hotel room in Seoul.
Others, such as Alicia Walter and Nate Stark, a full-time travel content creators, are taking precautions when discussing their American identity abroad. They avoid bringing up U.S. politics or referencing Trump, opting instead for vague responses that steer conversations away from sensitive topics.
However, not all travelers share this apprehension. Jack Napton, a traveler from California, had a surprisingly positive experience in Barcelona, Spain, where he found little to no anti-Trump sentiment among locals. His taxi driver even expressed support for the president’s policies.
The concerns among American tourists are largely driven by the perception that U.S. politics is “taboo conversation” compared to other cultures. However, many travelers, like Stark and Walter, plan to continue their international travels undeterred, citing the welcoming nature of countries with which the United States has strained relationships.
As global perceptions of the United States continue to shift, American tourists are left to navigate these complexities and make informed decisions about how to present themselves abroad.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/travel/2025/05/25/americans-traveler-international-perception/83679610007