The U.S. business travel sector experienced a notable downturn in April, with a 9% drop in the number of foreign travelers entering on business visas, according to preliminary data from the National Travel and Tourism Office. This decline is attributed to factors including the Trump Administration’s tariff threats, stringent immigration policies, and growing economic uncertainty.
While the Middle East saw a 9.4% increase in business travelers to the U.S. compared to April 2024, all other major regions experienced declines. Western Europe, a critical market for corporate travel, recorded a steep 17.7% year-over-year decrease.
Key neighboring sources of business travel also suffered significant drops: Mexico saw an 11.8% decrease in air arrivals on business visas, and Canada experienced a 20% reduction in return air trips and a 35% drop in return road vehicle crossings, according to Statistics Canada.
These figures reflect growing hesitancy among international business travelers toward visiting the U.S., impacting both the travel industry and broader economic activities linked to corporate mobility.
