New U.S. Travel Bans Would Hinder Tourism, Industry Leaders Say

The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) and United State Tour Operators Association (USTOA) are speaking out against President Donald Trump’s newly expanded travel ban that could impact 36 countries. 

Last week, Trump warned the nations, 25 of which are in Africa, that their citizens would be banned from entering the U.S. if the countries did not tighten their travel documentation policies and address the status of nationals living in the U.S. illegally within 60 days, according to AP News. 

Earlier this month, Trump instated a ban on citizens of 12 countries traveling to the U.S. from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. 

Now, the list could be growing. Most of the countries now on notice are in Africa, while others are in the Caribbean. Some notable in the tourism industry include Antigua and Barbuda, Bhutan, Cape Verde, Dominica, Egypt, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Malawi, Tanzania, Tonga, and Uganda. 

U.S. travel organizations warn that such sweeping travel bans would deter Americans from traveling to these countries, hurting the industry at home. 

In a statement on June 20, ASTA CEO Zane Kerby said the travel bans would “create uncertainty that ripples throughout the travel industry.” He highlighted the impact that the bans would have on the travel advisor community, noting that they are 98% small businesses and “an essential piece of the U.S. economy.” 

While he acknowledged the need for effective visa compliance and traveler vetting, he also called for collaborative solutions “to resolve those issues without cutting off entire populations.” 

“Every administration has the responsibility to protect national security, and that duty should never be taken lightly,” Kerby said. “But sweeping, country-wide travel bans are a blunt instrument accompanied by sweeping, unintended consequences—hindering legitimate business, discouraging visitors who strengthen our economy while simultaneously discouraging Americans from traveling abroad.” 

ASTA has been outspoken against travel bans since Trump first took office in 2017. In January 2024, when the president was inaugurated for a second time, Kerby sent the White House a letter addressing travel advisors’ policy concerns, travel bans among them. He stated the organization’s opposition to travel bans, writing: “We respectfully request you resist the imposition of travel bans, as it could negatively affect our standing as a leader in the global economy, and we urge you to ensure that the freedom to travel across the globe continues to be allowed.” 

Terry Dale, president and CEO of USTOA, said the organization is keeping an eye on how the travel ban could impact its annual conference in December, “which brings together members from around the world, including countries potentially impacted by the proposal.”  

“The proposed travel ban may not directly impact top inbound markets, but the perception it creates is real,” he said. “When travelers feel unsure about how they’ll be received, they’re more likely to go elsewhere. With major global events coming up, that kind of uncertainty can have lasting effects.”