Canadian citizen Robert Sharp had originally planned to visit Provincetown, Massachusetts, for a friend’s birthday but reconsidered due to U.S. trade tensions and rising anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment. Instead, he and his group chose to vacation in Montreal. In another case, he and his partner scrapped trips to Chicago and Florida, opting instead for a scenic Canadian road trip to support the local economy and avoid stress tied to political developments in the U.S.
Sharp’s travel change mirrors a broader trend among international travelers avoiding the U.S. According to the International Trade Administration, air travel to the U.S. dropped 10% in March year-over-year, with a total 14% decline including land crossings. Oxford Economics predicts an $8.5 billion reduction in international visitor spending due to negative perceptions of U.S. trade and immigration policies.
The LGBTQ+ travel platform misterb&b reported steep declines in U.S. bookings by Canadian and European users—66% and 32% respectively—from February to April. However, bookings rose in liberal “blue states” while falling in conservative “red states.” CEO Matthieu Jost noted LGBTQ+ travelers aren’t spending less—they’re just choosing more inclusive and welcoming destinations.
LGBTQ+ Travelers Reroute Away from U.S. Amid Policy Concerns and Safety WarningsLGBTQ+ Travelers Prioritize Safety and Inclusivity Amid U.S. Policy and Advisory Warnings
Misterb&b found that many LGBTQ+ users consciously use their travel spending to support inclusive economies. Advocacy group Egale Canada also announced it would avoid U.S.-based events this year, including WorldPride in Washington, D.C., citing safety and political concerns. The group highlighted both the human rights and economic implications of traveling to a country enacting anti-LGBTQ+ policies.
Recent executive orders under President Trump’s second term, including policies against transgender people in the military and sports, prompted several countries—like Denmark, Finland, Germany, and Canada—to issue travel advisories for LGBTQ+ individuals visiting the U.S. These warnings especially affect transgender travelers and those with non-binary gender markers on their passports.
LGBTQ+ Travelers Drive Global Tourism, Even as U.S. Sees Shifting Participation Trends
The LGBTQ+ community holds significant economic influence, with a global purchasing power of $1.4 trillion and a tourism market expected to grow from $296.8 billion in 2023 to $634.9 billion by 2033. LGBTQ+ travelers tend to have higher incomes and spend more on travel experiences, making their pullback from U.S. destinations a notable economic loss for American businesses.
Despite lower international turnout, Pride events across the U.S. remain strong in attendance. NYC Pride estimated around 2.5 million attendees, and Capital Pride Alliance was “pleasantly surprised” by the support for WorldPride in Washington, D.C. Organizers rejected calls to cancel events, seeing continued participation as vital resistance to political setbacks.
Cities in more conservative states like Arizona and Utah also saw growing attendance at Pride events. Phoenix Pride’s Rainbows Festival rose from 28,000 to 33,000 attendees, and Salt Lake City’s SLC Pride grew from 10,000 to 17,000 attendees. Organizers emphasized the importance of creating safe, affirming spaces, even in smaller or rural communities, regardless of national politics.
