US Social Media Rule for Travelers Could Cost Billions in Lost Tourism Revenue
Ahead of a proposed rule change that would require social media account information from some foreign travelers to the United States, international travel experts are warning that this policy could significantly deter visitors. This decline might translate into billions of dollars in lost revenue for the travel sector, according to a recent survey.
Survey Reveals Traveler Concerns and Potential Economic Impact
The warning comes from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which surveyed nearly 5,000 international residents who regularly travel abroad. The findings indicate that one-third of respondents would be somewhat or much less likely to visit the US if applicants to the Visa Waiver Program are required to submit information about their social media accounts.
This potential decline in travelers could cost the US an estimated $15.7 billion in lost visitor spending, as reported by WTTC. Under one scenario, the US might miss out on as many as 4.7 million international arrivals, representing a 23% drop in visitors from ESTA countries in 2026.
Job Losses and Competitive Disadvantage Highlighted
Gloria Guevara, president of WTTC, emphasized the broader implications in an interview with CNN. She stated that the proposed change could cost the US more than 150,000 jobs and "put the US at a competitive disadvantage." Guevara noted that affected travelers have other destination options and consider the request for social media account information "intrusive."
"There are so many places to travel, and the ESTA travelers will choose another destination," she said. "We will see a decline and the decline is translated into jobs." She added that while last year was a banner year for global travel with increases in visitors worldwide, this was not the case for the US.
Survey Details and Traveler Perceptions
The survey included 4,563 travelers from countries such as Australia, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. Two-thirds of respondents were already aware of the proposed policy. A large share indicated that it would make the US feel less welcoming and less attractive for both leisure and business travel, according to the WTTC results.
ESTA, or the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, is an online application that grants visitors from 42 eligible countries the right to visit the US for under 90 days without a visa. Currently, ESTA applicants are asked to provide information like passport numbers, birth dates, and prior criminal activity.
Policy Background and Implementation Concerns
In a statement, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spokesperson noted that the proposed changes are not final. "Most are designed to support Executive Order 14161, aimed at protecting the U.S. from foreign terrorist and other national security and public safety threats," the spokesperson said, without addressing how social media information would be used in evaluating applicants.
It remains unclear exactly what social media information would be collected. The Federal Register posting specifies that ESTA applicants would need to provide "social media from the last 5 years." A question requesting social media information was initially added to the application in 2016 as an optional section but would become mandatory under the new proposal.
Industry Response and Future Implications
According to the Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association, government officials have privately indicated that visitors would need to provide account names or handles but would not be required to grant access to accounts or specific posts. CBP would not review every applicant’s social media activity.
The association stated in a blog post that "CBP has been explicit that social media accounts would not be reviewed for comments, posts or activity critical of President Trump or other political leaders. Under the proposal, CBP would collect usernames solely to check them against classified information the government already has."
However, the policy remains a significant concern for the association, especially with Miami set to host the FIFA World Cup. "Our success depends on the ease, and perception of ease, of international travel," they noted.
In a related development, the State Department has instructed embassies and consulates to scrutinize student visa applicants for "hostile attitudes towards our citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles," highlighting broader security measures in travel policies.
