« Resentful travel » 2026: visiting the US despite Trump — to go or boycott?

The term is now established among tourism economists: the « Trump slump » refers to the structural decline in tourism to the United States since Donald Trump’s return to power. While the rest of the world recorded a 4% rise in arrivals in 2025, the United States saw tourist numbers fall by 5.4% — a more severe contraction than the one observed between 2017 and 2018.

According to a study by the World Travel & Tourism Council published in February 2026, the new control measures could result in up to 4.7 million fewer international arrivals, representing an estimated loss of $15.7 billion in tourist spending and 157,000 American jobs at risk.

In Europe, the impact is even more pronounced. Tour operators have recorded a 14.6% drop in package holidays to the United States. The president of the French tour operators’ association publicly acknowledged: « There is a Trump effect — we can’t deny it. » By late 2025, bookings for summer 2026 had collapsed by more than 29%.

For many travellers interviewed by France 3, the decision is clear: « I don’t want to fund the American economy. » Beyond the symbolic gesture, the tourism boycott has measurable effects. According to the Boston Globe, Trump’s insults, his economic warfare through tariffs, his imperial claims on other nations and his contempt for the rule of law have triggered a spontaneous boycott costing up to $22 billion to the American tourism industry.

The reasoning: every dollar spent in the United States in 2026 funds — even indirectly — an economy whose policies penalise Washington’s traditional allies. Several European governments (UK, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Portugal) have updated their travel advisories to warn their citizens of potential difficulties at US borders.

Many travellers report a reassuring reality on the ground: no particular difficulties at immigration, no tension, no change in attitude from the Americans they encountered. The welcome remains exactly what it has been for years.

This « New York exception » probably stems from the distinction in travellers’ minds between progressive, cosmopolitan metropolises — New York, San Francisco, Portland — and the heartland perceived as hostile to European values. According to Tour Hebdo, some travellers choose to support independent local businesses — family restaurants, guesthouses, artisans — as a way of visiting the United States while directing their money away from large corporations.

Resentful travel is not a clear-cut answer. It’s a spectrum: from those who boycott on principle to those who go while carefully choosing where to spend their money. Either way, in 2026, your plane ticket is a vote — whether you like it or not.

The ESTA: doubled price and the social media question

The price of the ESTA has risen from $21 to $40 per person — nearly double. For a family of four, this formality now costs $160 before even buying tickets. The ESTA remains valid for two years and you do not need to renew it if you already have one, unless you change passports.

Since February 8, 2026, the United States may ask travellers to provide their social media account handles used over the past five years. However, Courrier des Amériques notes that the OMB’s final decision on strict enforcement is not expected until late April–June 2026. Transparency is recommended, but no new binding requirement is yet in effect for European travellers.

National parks: major surcharge for non-residents

From January 1, 2026, the annual America the Beautiful pass — granting access to all 63 national parks — has risen from $80 to $250 for non-resident visitors. A surcharge of $100 per person applies at the 11 « major parks » (including Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Yosemite) for international visitors without a pass.

Concrete calculation for a family of 4 at Yellowstone without a pass: vehicle entry ($35) + 4 × $100 surcharge = $435. With the $250 pass, everything is included. Great Smoky Mountains and Acadia do not apply the $100 surcharge.

Far from the Yellowstone hordes (within easy driving distance), Big Sky offers privileged access to monumental landscapes in a near-deserted atmosphere. The largest ski resort in the United States, it saw a 92% surge in searches in 2026 — while remaining largely unknown on the international tourist circuit.

Portland is the American city suffering most from the negative perception of the United States — which translates in 2026 into cheaper hotels and near-empty attractions. Paradoxically, it is one of the most « anti-Trump » cities in America: craft beer, food trucks, independent bookshops and community initiatives make it a symbol of the America that European travellers connect with.

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is nicknamed the « Brooklyn of the Appalachians » for its vibrant arts and music scene. Completely off the beaten track for international tourists, it offers an immersion in authentic American musical culture (bluegrass, folk, jazz) and a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains — one of the few American national parks without an entrance fee.

On the west coast of Vancouver Island, Tofino is THE world capital of temperate surfing in summer, surrounded by ancient-growth cedar forests. In winter, it becomes a unique destination for storm watching — observing storms with waves reaching 6 metres. Unlike American parks, there are no non-resident surcharges, no ESTA requirement, and a warmly welcoming atmosphere.

In January and February, Yellowknife is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights: long nights, frequently clear skies, frequent geomagnetic activity. Unlike Finland or Norway (overcrowded), Yellowknife is not yet overrun. You can sleep in an indigenous tipi on the ice and take part in Dene ceremonies — a cultural experience impossible to find anywhere else.

Founded in 1529, Oaxaca is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This is where artisanal mezcal and the seven legendary moles of Mexican cuisine originate. The best restaurants will cost you $7–14 for a generous meal. From Oaxaca, the archaeological site of Monte Albán (a pre-Columbian Zapotec city) can be visited without crowds from 8am.

A 16th-century fortified city declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, San Miguel de Allende captivates with its cobblestone streets, colourful houses and lively plazas. Excellent hotels in colonial mansions for $200–400 (versus $500–800 for an American equivalent). Just 3.5 hours from Mexico City by bus.

The World Tourism Organization has just ranked Albania as the destination with the strongest tourist growth in the world for 2024 (+82% arrivals compared to 2019). With an overall score of 75.8 points, Albania was named the best destination for 2025 by HelloSafe, surpassing Greece and Croatia. It is going through exactly what Croatia experienced between 2005 and 2015 — now is the time to go before prices skyrocket.

This volcanic archipelago 4 hours’ flight from major European airports is positioning itself in 2026 as a world model for sustainable tourism. Between whale watching led by marine biologists, hikes on certified trails and a farm-to-table gastronomy, the Azores prove that adventure can be responsible. Sete Cidades lake, with its blue and green waters nestled in a crater, is one of the most spectacular images in Europe.

Still largely overlooked a few years ago, Georgia is establishing itself in 2026 as one of the most fascinating alternative destinations in Greater Europe. Tbilisi is vibrant, chaotic and utterly captivating. The Caucasus mountains rival the Alps at a fraction of the price. And Georgia is the world’s oldest wine-producing country (8,000 years of viticulture): the Kakheti region produces orange wines in clay amphoras (qvevri) virtually unknown outside the country.