Germany and Switzerland tourism to U.S. declines sharply

Tourism from Germany and Switzerland to the United States has seen a significant decline for the second consecutive year. Data from the German Travel Association (DRV) shows that bookings from Germany fell by 14.2 percent in the first half of 2026. Similarly, Swiss travel to the U.S. dropped by 16.5 percent during the same period.

Industry experts cite several contributing factors for this trend. The political and social climate in the United States, particularly following the second term of President Donald Trump, is a primary concern for travelers. A survey conducted by the DRV indicated that approximately half of respondents cited the U.S. political situation as a reason for their hesitation.

Other factors include high travel costs, administrative burdens associated with the ESTA electronic travel authorization, and concerns regarding price surges during major international events like the FIFA World Cup. In Switzerland, the Swiss Travel Association (SRV) warned that if current trends persist, travel numbers could return to 2007 levels by the end of 2026.