US plans to check tourists' social media accounts, including Brits, 'putting people off travel'

A third of international travellers say they are less likely to book a trip to the US after Donald Trump announced plans to screen visitors' social media going back five years.

At present, travellers from more than 40 countries - including Britain - can visit the US for up to 90 days without a visa, as long as they hold an electronic travel authorisation, known as an ESTA.

Under proposed changes, Information from a review of social media would be used to decide whether a traveller is granted an ESTA.

Travellers across the 40 countries which have signed up to the ESTA programme have been interviewed for a survey commissioned by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

Two-thirds (66%) of over 4,500 respondents said they were aware of the potential changes. 

A third said they were less likely to book a US trip as the policy change looms.

Gloria Guevara, president and CEO of the WTTC, said: "Security at the US border is vital, but the planned policy changes will damage job creation, which the US administration values so much.

Read more: World Cup chaos after Trump bans visa applications from 15 competing nations

Read more: Trump signs executive order introducing $1m 'Gold Card' immigration visa

"Our research finds that over 150,000 jobs could be lost if this policy goes ahead - about the same number usually created each quarter in the US.

"Even modest shifts in visitor behaviour, discouraged by the planned changes, will have real economic consequences for US travel and tourism, particularly in a highly competitive global market."

The drastic move to ramp up the vetting process of arrivals is the latest attempt by Trump to scrutinise foreign visitors - after an immigration freeze from 19 countries was announced last month.

The proposed social-media requirement, put forward by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), would apply to all visitors, regardless of whether or not they need a visa.

Information from the review of social media review would then be used to decide whether a traveller is granted an ESTA.

It will be "mandatory" to hand over the information, and other details - including email addresses and telephone numbers used in the last five years.

Personal details of family members will also be required.

Commenting on the proposed plans, Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “These barriers will hit UK travel to the USA hard.

History shows us that when a destination becomes harder to reach, British holidaymakers simply go elsewhere.

"Right now, US bookings are up 20 per cent across our membership, driven by events like the football World Cup, but new obstacles could quickly reverse that trend.”

It comes as the US faces a significant downturn in international tourism.

Data from May showed a projected $12.5 billion loss in travel revenue for 2025, with spending expected to fall below $169 billion by the end of the year. 

Foreign arrivals are also set to drop to 67.9 million this year, down from 72.4 million in 2024, according to the US Travel Association.

The association attributed the decline to lingering Covid-era rules, a strong dollar and negative perceptions tied to the Trump administration’s “America First” agenda.

The drastic move to ramp up the vetting process of arrivals is the latest attempt by Trump to scrutinise foreign visitors - after an immigration freeze from 19 countries was announced last month.

The proposed social-media requirement, put forward by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), would apply to all visitors, regardless of whether or not they need a visa.