# Trump's effect is already visible in US-Spain tourism

Canonical-URL: https://notitur.com/en/digest/trump-effect-us-spain-tourism
Text-Version: https://notitur.com/en/digest/trump-effect-us-spain-tourism.txt
Markdown-Version: https://notitur.com/en/digest/trump-effect-us-spain-tourism.md
Language: en
Published: 2026-07-11T12:38:27.710Z
Modified: 2026-07-11T12:39:15.149Z
Author: Joan Sanz
Topics: Gobierno y Política Turística
Summary: Trump's tariff policies and tensions with Spain are shifting travel demand. We analyze how hotels, airlines and tour operators are being affected.

## Article

**Donald Trump**'s trade policy and diplomatic tensions with Spain have forcefully entered the travel industry agenda. This is no background noise: concrete data already shows a shift in tourism flows between the United States and Europe, making this the dominant topic at fairs like **ITB Berlin** and **WTM London**.

## Tariffs and threats: the new landscape

Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Spanish products in retaliation for what he considers unfair barriers to US tourism in Spain, as reported by [**Preferente**](https://www.preferente.com/noticias-de-turismo/trump-amenaza-con-aranceles-a-espana-por-el-turismo-339353.html). Although the measure has not yet materialized, the mere announcement creates uncertainty for **airlines** operating transatlantic routes and **hotels** reliant on North American travelers.

Meanwhile, the State Department issued travel advisories for Spain citing "political tensions", leading some US tour operators to reroute packages to alternative destinations like Portugal or Italy. According to [**The Guardian**](https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/mar/12/us-travel-europe-trump-tariffs-tourism-impact), flight bookings from the US to Spain dropped **8%** in February compared to last year.

## European travelers are also reconsidering their plans

It is not just Americans changing habits. The exchange of trade threats has led many **Spanish travelers** to reconsider visiting the United States. Data from [**Hosteltur**](https://www.hosteltur.com/166505_el-turismo-de-eeuu-a-espana-crece-un-30-pero-las-tarifas-de-trump-preocupan.html) shows that flight searches to cities like New York or Miami have declined **12%** in March. Low-cost airlines and OTAs are already adjusting their marketing campaigns to redirect demand toward the Caribbean and Southeast Asia.

## Impact on distribution and revenue management

**Revenue Managers** at Spanish hotel chains with high exposure to the US market are adjusting rates and channels. Some have started reducing their dependence on US **OTAs** (Booking Holdings, Expedia) and strengthening agreements with European and Asian wholesalers. Political uncertainty forces more aggressive *dynamic pricing* models and flexible cancellation clauses.

## Conclusion: a wake-up call for the industry

This is not a passing panic. Tariff threats and travel advisories are political tools that can reshape tourism flows in months. Industry professionals must monitor news, diversify markets and prepare contingency scenarios. **Fairs** like FITUR and WTM will be the thermometer to gauge whether this tension cools down or becomes a new normal.

Tourism is one of the most geopolitically sensitive sectors. Ignoring it is a luxury no one can afford.

## Sources

- Hosteltur: https://www.hosteltur.com/166505_el-turismo-de-eeuu-a-espana-crece-un-30-pero-las-tarifas-de-trump-preocupan.html
- Preferente: https://www.preferente.com/noticias-de-turismo/trump-amenaza-con-aranceles-a-espana-por-el-turismo-339353.html
- The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/mar/12/us-travel-europe-trump-tariffs-tourism-impact

## Citation

Trump's effect is already visible in US-Spain tourism. Notitur. 2026-07-11. https://notitur.com/en/digest/trump-effect-us-spain-tourism