International National Parks visits tumbling after Trump adjustments—journey corporations

The variety of vacationers coming from overseas to go to America’s National Parks has considerably dropped, in line with varied journey companies.

Why It Matters

President Donald Trump’s administration has been implementing varied adjustments concerning the working of America’s National Parks. These adjustments have been met with blended reactions, in some circumstances prompting public backlash, authorized pushback and counter laws, and in others, the strikes have been applauded by some Americans.

What To Know

Intrepid Travel, which provides greater than 300 U.S. National Park excursions, has stated, in line with Reuters, that bookings are down 42 % for 2026, with specific drops amongst these touring from Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Bookings made by Canadians have dropped massively—by as a lot as 93 %.

Reuters reported that one other journey company, Cazenove+Loyd has additionally introduced its intention to scrap plans for tailored itineraries centered across the National Parks in states like Montana, Washington and California.

This comes following the Department of the Interior (DOI)’s change to the charges for international guests for 2026, that means that whereas Americans pay an annual price of $80 for entrance into the parks, the identical cross now prices non-residents $250.

Any non-residents with out an annual cross now should pay a $100 per individual price to enter 11 of essentially the most visited parks along with the usual price.

Newsweek has contacted the DOI, and Intrepid Travel and Cazenove+Loyd, exterior of normal working hours by way of electronic mail for remark.

The identical downward development has been seen by the National Parks Conversation Association (NPCA). The group lately referred to as on the Trump administration to halt the price adjustments for non-residents, as they it the “fee increase is contributing to long wait times and delays to enter already busy parks.”

Emily Douce, deputy vp for presidency affairs for NPCA stated that “many visitors are confused, while others are staying away entirely. And local businesses are losing money.”

The affiliation stated that households touring from overseas are “choosing not to enter parks due to the high cost of non-resident entrance fees.” A household of 5 now should pay round $400 to go to a park, which is “more than four times the amount that would have been charged prior to January 1, 2026,” NPCA added.

In a letter despatched to DOI Secretary Doug Burgum, the affiliation stated: “We have heard stories of families from Europe and South America arriving at the doorstop of remote parks only to turn around when they learn about the new fee policy and decide it is too expensive.”

Julie Mullins, govt director of the Whitefish Convention and Visitors Center, positioned close to Glacier National Park in Montana, stated, in line with the outlet National Parks Traveler, that spending by Canadian vacationers on the heart is down greater than 14 % in contrast with the identical interval final yr.

Per the outlet she stated, expenditures from Canadians dropped from $684,413 in February 2024 to $553,470 in February this yr, citing information supplied by Visa Destinations Insights.

More broadly, information from the Canadian authorities additionally confirmed that the variety of residents visiting the U.S. was down by virtually 1 / 4, at 24.3 %, in contrast with January 2025. At the identical time, the variety of return journeys Canadians have been making to different abroad international locations was up my 11.1 % in contrast with January 2025.

This additionally comes following the World Travel and Tourism Council forecast that the U.S., beneath a “high-impact scenario,” may obtain about 4.7 million fewer worldwide arrivals if the Trump administration goes forward with proposals to incorporate a evaluate of social media account info as a part of sure customer visa functions.

What People Are Saying

Emily Douce, deputy vp for presidency affairs for the NPCA stated: “The Park Service is stretched to the breaking level after shedding 1 / 4 of everlasting positions since January 2025, together with the very folks wanted to implement this coverage. Requiring price collectors to confirm residency at already congested parks is worsening delays and inflicting chaos.

“With peak park season quickly approaching and America’s 250th anniversary drawing visitors nationwide, now is not the time to push a flawed policy. Secretary Burgum must halt this policy until it’s fixed and no longer strains the people who serve and protect our parks or keeps people from enjoying beloved places. NPCA stands ready to work with Secretary Burgum to find a solution that supports park access while ensuring high-quality experiences.”