Business travel is expected to rebound under Trump, but visa procedures to the US will become more difficult and costs may also increase.
Donald Trump's re-election as president has not had an immediate impact on the tourism industry. However, based on policies from his previous term, experts say that it is possible to imagine challenges and opportunities in the coming years.
Trump has often put "America First" at the center of his agenda, with one of his goals being to prioritize domestic tourism development instead of relying on international arrivals. During his first term, he reduced visa staff at the State Department, extended processing times, and increased visa denial rates, especially for travelers from countries considered high security risks.
During his 2024 campaign, Trump pledged to further tighten the immigration measures he had previously implemented. In 2017, he imposed severe restrictions on citizens from countries like Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Yemen, making the visa process more complicated. This signals that in the next term, applicants may face more difficulties with longer wait times and higher rejection rates.
President Donald Trump speaks at an election night event at the West Palm Beach Convention Center, Florida, November 6. Photo: AFP
During his first term, Trump implemented strict immigration policies, including travel bans on certain countries. Experts predict that he could reimpose or expand these orders, which could lengthen visa processing times and add more complex requirements for applications from restricted countries.
In addition, stricter immigration controls could make visa applications more time-consuming, directly affecting international tourists and business travelers from regions with high visa refusal rates.
The “America First” policy with economic strategies such as high tariffs could increase the cost of traveling to the US. Imposing higher tariffs on imports from other countries could affect airfares and accommodation costs, as airlines and hotel businesses face increased costs. These costs are likely to be passed on to customers, driving up travel prices
Trump is also known for reducing regulations for businesses, including the airline industry. This may reduce compliance costs for airlines, but not enough to offset the effects of tariffs and economic uncertainty
Another major issue is the labor shortage in the service industry, especially hotels and restaurants that rely on temporary workers from abroad. If Trump continues with his immigration policies, this could lead to labor shortages during peak tourist seasons, affecting service capacity and quality
Trump’s return for a second term could bring major changes to visa policies and travel costs. To avoid being caught off guard, those planning to travel or immigrate to the US should closely monitor government changes and plan accordingly to minimize potential risks and costs.
If you need further information or assistance, do not hesitate to contact Vietnam Visa Services Center today!
