Expectations were high for a strong year in U.S. tourism, but extended airport delays and growing unease about the country’s global image are leading some travelers to reconsider visiting.

Across the United States, passengers have recently faced security wait times stretching up to four hours — the longest recorded in the 24-year history of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The delays stem largely from a partial government shutdown now in its seventh week, making it the longest in U.S. history.

During the shutdown, TSA agents worked for more than a month without pay, resulting in widespread absenteeism and more than 500 officers resigning. Although a presidential order issued on 30 March restored wages and seeks to ease congestion at airports, images of crowded terminals have added to mounting challenges for the U.S. travel sector.

The timing of these disruptions is particularly problematic. The U.S. is preparing to co-host the Fifa World Cup this summer, commemorate 100 years of Route 66 and celebrate its 250th anniversary in 2026. Typically, any one of these events would boost tourism. Instead, the country is grappling with negative perceptions and controversial policies, contributing to a 5.4% drop in tourism in 2025, even as global international travel rose by 4%, according to the World Tourism Barometer. Visits from Canada fell 22% year over year, marking the sharpest decline among key markets.

The continued deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at airports may also be affecting perceptions. Initially brought in to support understaffed TSA teams, the U.S. Transportation Secretary has said the agents will remain “as long as needed.” However, because ICE personnel are not specifically trained in aviation security, their presence has raised concerns among some travelers.

Sandra Awodele, a naturalised U.S. citizen born in Nigeria, said the increased presence has made her more cautious.

"With ICE detaining people who may or may not be citizens and apologising later if they're wrong, it has made me change my travel plans a few times if the airport I am arriving [at] has heavy ICE presence," she said. "I have never had an issue, but now I fear I might because of procedures and protocols I may not be aware of. That is scary."

Airport enforcement is only one factor contributing to uncertainty. A proposal from the Trump administration in December 2025 suggested requiring visitors from 42 visa-waiver countries — including the UK and much of Europe — to submit five years of social media history before entry. While the policy has yet to take effect, some travelers believe it already has.

"The law hasn't changed, but the temperature has," said Evan Oshan, a civil rights lawyer and managing partner at Oshan & Associates. "When federal officers feel empowered to push every boundary of their existing authority, that is a policy change – it just doesn't require an act of Congress."

Combined with lingering airport delays and dissatisfaction with certain U.S. policies, these developments are prompting travelers to reassess their plans. Johan Konst, a public relations executive based in Amsterdam, typically travels to the U.S. several times a year but says he is now more selective.

"The current situation seems to treat Europe more as an opponent than an ally, whether it's the tariffs, the NATO rhetoric or the broader tone towards European countries," he said. "That shift in dynamic is what makes you feel less welcome, even if no individual American has ever made me feel that way in person."

Konst noted that the sentiment has already influenced his travel decisions. "I now find myself weighing which trips are truly necessary and which aren't," he said. "I'm more selective than before, since I can also work remote." He added that flights from Amsterdam to the U.S. have recently appeared less crowded. "I have had an empty row to myself multiple times in a row."

Anita Shreider, chief marketing officer at rental platform Bikes Booking and based in Germany, still plans to visit the U.S. this year for business and leisure, including stops in Chicago and along the West Coast to see the giant sequoias. However, she acknowledges the hesitation among others.

"I have acquaintances who decided to call off their summer trips to the US because they disagree with the country's actions on the global stage," she said. For those who cancelled, "it wasn't really about specific policy changes, it was more a general unease. They just didn't feel comfortable travelling to the US right now."

Some U.S. tour operators say expectations often differ from reality. Paul Whitten, founder and historian at Nashville Adventures, said visitors are frequently surprised by how manageable the system is.

"People are arriving expecting friction, but instead of craziness, [they] find a system, while far from perfect, [that] is very navigable," he said. "Do your paperwork early, and build a buffer time to travel. The difference between a stressful trip and a great one usually comes down to how prepared you are, not the policies itself."

Oshan echoed that advice, urging travelers to carry proper documentation and understand their rights.

"While CBP (US Customs and Border Patrol) has broad authority at the border, you retain constitutional protections once on US soil," he said. "Those rights are worth asserting and, when violated, worth litigating."

Industry representatives acknowledge the gap between perception and experience. Erik Hansen, head of government relations for the U.S. Travel Association, said efforts are underway to reassure visitors. He noted that some airports have introduced faster customs procedures and streamlined security measures, such as allowing passengers to keep their shoes on, to reduce wait times.

Whitten said policy changes do not necessarily reflect the everyday reality for most travelers. "Policies adjust, but they are often not indicators of massive cultural change, at least not sweeping changes that will affect the average traveller's experience day to day," he said. "Ultimately, at the end of the day, the US is still one of the most accessible and welcoming destinations in the world."

For now, uncertainty persists. TSA officials say training new staff takes four to six months, meaning staffing shortages could continue into the World Cup period. The government shutdown remains unresolved, while the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran continues to drive up travel costs and heighten global tensions.

Despite the challenges, Konst said his connection to the country remains intact. "I still love the US and the American people," he said. "It's just the [policies] that makes me reconsider flying there as much as I used to."