Trump’s Travel Ban Hits 39 Countries: Setback for U.S. Inbound Tourism

Washington (TRI) – The Trump administration’s decision to expand U.S. travel restrictions to 39 countries – more than doubling the previous list of 19 – is set to deliver a severe setback to America’s inbound tourism industry, just as the sector was projecting robust growth into 2026.

The proclamation, signed on 16 December 2025, imposes full bans on most visas from 27 nations and partial restrictions (primarily on tourist, business, student, and exchange visas) on 12 others, effective 1 January 2026.

The Expanded List at a Glance

Full Bans (most immigrant/nonimmigrant visas suspended): Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Laos, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Syria, and others from the original list.

Partial Bans (targeting B-1/B-2 tourist/business, F/M/J student/exchange): Burundi, Cuba, Togo, Venezuela, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Exceptions remain for green card holders, valid existing visas (though reentry screening intensifies), diplomats, and national-interest waivers.

Direct Hit to U.S. Tourism

The restrictions disproportionately affect key emerging and traditional source markets for U.S. inbound tourism:

• Africa (heavily represented with Nigeria, Tanzania, Senegal, etc.) – a fast-growing segment with high-spend leisure and VFR travelers.
• Caribbean/Latin America (Haiti, Venezuela, Cuba) – major contributors to Florida and East Coast visitation.
• Middle East/Asia (Iran, Syria, Yemen) – smaller but high-value luxury segments.

Industry leaders warn of immediate fallout:

• Revenue Losses: Previous bans cost billions annually in tourism spending; this broader version could exceed that, hitting hotels, attractions, airlines, and gateway cities hard.
• Visitor Decline: 10–20% drop expected from affected regions in 2026, with ripple effects on events, conventions, and family travel.
• Aviation Strain: Carriers face route cuts and reduced demand on Africa/Europe connections.

The U.S. Travel Association called it “a devastating blow at the worst possible time,” noting inbound tourism was on track for record recovery before these measures.

Broader Economic Ripple

Tourism supports 9.5 million U.S. jobs and $2.4 trillion in economic output. Restrictions on student/exchange visas further threaten university revenue, while business travel curbs hit MICE and corporate events.

Visa Waiver Program countries (42 nations, including UK, Germany, Australia, Japan) remain unaffected – a lifeline for major European/Asian volume.

Industry Outlook

The expanded restrictions are expected to moderate inbound growth in 2026, particularly from affected regions in Africa, the Caribbean, and parts of Asia and the Middle East.

While Visa Waiver Program markets remain fully open, overall U.S. tourism appeal may face short-term headwinds as perceptions of accessibility shift.

The policy underscores a continued emphasis on security considerations in immigration, with potential long-term effects on visitor volumes and spending patterns from restricted countries.

Tourism stakeholders will monitor developments closely as the measures take effect in January 2026.