Tourism and World Standing: “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” and Reaction
- Lauren Schlau
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
It seems that most countries want "respect" from other countries and people around the world. Why is inter-country respect important? What happens, especially regarding tourism, if a country is not respected?
Why Respect is Important
Respect between countries is vital and generates many related benefits. According to Sana Farid, with Beyond Intractability, respect benefits include fostering peaceful relations, promoting global cooperation, and promoting economic and other mutual benefits between nations.
It forms the foundation for diplomacy, trade, and cultural exchange, ultimately contributing to a more stable and prosperous world.
Peace and Stability: Respect prevents conflicts and misunderstandings by encouraging dialogue and understanding rather than aggression or hostility.
Global Cooperation: Respect facilitates collaboration on shared challenges like climate change, poverty, and disease, as countries are more likely to work together when they feel valued and respected.
Economic Benefits: Respect promotes trade and investment by creating a stable and predictable environment for businesses to thrive.
Cultural Exchange: Respect allows for the free flow of ideas, knowledge, and artistic expression, enriching all cultures.
Human Dignity: Respect recognizes every nation's and individual's inherent worth and value, ensuring that no one is treated as inferior.
Farid states, "In essence, respect between countries is not just a matter of good manners but a fundamental principle that underpins a just and equitable global order.”
How U.S. Residents Perceive Value and Standing for Respect
In our country, the status of respect has been changing from past norms. According to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, while most Americans still see global respect as an essential attribute, more think the United States' international influence is waning. The study goes on to say that:
“Most Americans, 91%, say it is important to be respected, with a slight difference by age and political leaning.
At the same time, 52% of Americans say their country’s influence in the world is weakening, about the same share as in 2024. “
The assessment of the U.S.’s worldwide respect is more varied by age and political leaning than the importance of respect. Compared with last year, Democrats are more likely—and Republicans less likely—to say U.S. influence is declining; that is, less respected. Also, far fewer of those aged 18- 49 see the U.S. as respected than do older Americans.
Consequences of Perceptions of Respect on Tourism
The implications of this are being experienced now in relation to tourism, both for U.S. travelers in other countries and for international visitation to the United States.
U.S. Travelers’ Abroad
According to Global Rescue, in a snap survey of their 1,400 experienced traveler members in March, 72% expect U.S. tourists will be less welcome and perceived more negatively while traveling internationally in 2025 due to recent international policy proposals introduced by the U.S. following President Trump's address to Congress.
"The data is clear: US tourists are expecting a shift in how they are received abroad," said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board member at the U.S. Department of Commerce. “This doesn’t mean Americans should cancel their travel plans, but they should be aware of their surroundings, practice cultural sensitivity, and take proactive steps to mitigate potential risks.”
In addition, there is anecdotal evidence of growing concern among U.S. residents, in particular naturalized citizens, who fear difficulty or even detainment upon reentry at airports or auto crossings, given cases of this already happening. While typically affecting green card or visa holders, ostensibly for legitimate and legal security reasons, naturalized citizens feel more insecure. It may deter their decisions to travel outside the U.S. Some may decide to travel domestically instead (if at all).
U.S. International Inbound Visitation
Perceptions of U.S. standing and respect are now impacting U.S. inbound international travel. Since the COVID pandemic lockdown ended, the United States has struggled to reach 2019 levels of inbound international visitor volume and spending.
Annual U.S., state, and local destination forecasts since 2021 were continuously revised downward, as actual visitation did not recover as expected. The yearly 2024 international volume for the U.S. reached just 91% in 2019, with only five of the top 20 at 100%.
Three key countries, China, South Korea, and Japan, remained below 75% recovery, which is more significant for Western U.S. destinations as the West is Asia's main gateway.
The impact on the U.S. is more concerning. According to the latest World Tourism Barometer from the UN World Tourism Organization, “an estimated 1.4 billion tourists travelled internationally in 2024, indicating a virtual recovery to 99% of pre-pandemic levels,” a rise of 11% over 2023. “Results were driven by strong post-pandemic demand, robust performance from large source markets, and the ongoing recovery of destinations in Asia and the Pacific.”
Thus, the U.S. has not only not recovered as quickly but has also lost market share as visitors have chosen other destinations during this period.
Where the U.S. Stands in 2025
Recent reports have revealed that, among others, the United States, the state of California, and New York City have revised their 2025 tourism forecasts downward, both due to softened domestic travel, but more so due to already expected lower international inbound visitation.
As quoted in an article by Greg Iacurci of CNBC, “International tourists are skipping trips to the U.S. amid tensions tied to trade, immigration, and territory. The tourism pullback appears to be "more a U.S. issue right now" rather than a broad global weakness in travel, since other regions are seeing positive tourism growth, said Lorraine Sileo, senior analyst and founder of Phocuswright Research.”
The article mentioned various factors underpinning the decline in international visitors, including:
“President Donald Trump has announced several rounds of tariffs, sparking fears of a global trade war and raising the average import duties to the highest level since the early 1900s.
In early April, China issued a risk alert for tourists heading to the U.S., citing deteriorating economic relations and domestic security.
Several European nations also recently issued U.S. travel advisories, citing reasons such as heightened border security and potential issues around travel documents.”
A new 29-country Ipsos poll explores attitudes towards the United States, alongside other nations and international institutions, and provides an update on how President Donald Trump's second, non-consecutive term has impacted America's global reputation.
Commenting on the findings, Chris Jackson, Senior Vice President, Ipsos in the U.S., said:
“Three months into the second Trump Administration and six months after his election, the reputation of the United States as a force for good in the world has taken a serious hit, particularly among our traditional allies in Europe and Canada. This flies in the face of Donald Trump’s repeated campaign promise to restore respect for America around the world….” (bold added)
Back to the Beginning of this Article
Thus, the issue of respect is consequential when such perceptions weaken, especially for the travel industry, which depends on a global market. The U.S. is at a crossroads: to continue down the path of distrust and disrespect, deal with the consequences, or change course to regain its rightful place as a - if not the – most respected world leader.