Q – We have been on four separate trips to Europe since we were married. We are now planning a trip that will include time in Italy and Spain. Both my husband and I are having some qualms about the way we may be greeted given the news about Trump’s disengagement from NATO and the horrendous photos of ICE arrests etc. I have read how you previously responded to this question but am wondering if events we are experiencing in early 2026 have caused you to re-evaluate your earlier opinions that there are few, if any, reports of anti-American actions as opposed to anti-tourism movement which we have read about and understand?
A – It is a fair question. There is still no evidence of any significant harassment or acts of physical confrontation between residents of Europe and visitors from the United States. However, the latest data is showing and increasing number of documented cases of Americans reporting cold receptions, pointed questions, and awkward conversations about our current President. So we would say you could possibly run into a bit of social friction, perhaps a bit of pre-conceived judgements, and even political questioning. But there outright hostility is just not being reported by American travelers.
The kinds of things we are hearing are anecdotal and include:
- Taxi drivers asking Americans to explain U.S. policy
- Hotel staff making pointed jokes
- Locals making comments about immigration bans or tariffs
A 2025 report from ASTA, the American Society of Travel Advisors, highlighted the fact that a growing number of Americans were feeling compelled to explain or apologize for American actions. Itis clear that events within the political arena in the US are being widely reported abroad. Many European leaders including those in France, Germany, and England have openly criticized, what they see as, a decline in American support and mutual trust. In the same ASTA survey, travel advisors report an increasing number of their clients are increasingly “worried” about how they would be received abroad due to Trump administration policies especially in the area of immigration. Travel advisors have reported a growth in the number of potential international travelers who express concerns about a fear of a negative reception. There is a “more significant” growth in the number of potential travelers who have a hesitation to book and who are questioning how one can use insurance to cancel a planned journey for politically-related reasons.
It should be pointed out that there is a direct link between those travelers that have the greatest fears and the cost of the trip they are contemplating. The true luxury market has not slowed down and questions regarding potential political hassles are rarely reported in this segment of the industry.
We realize this is not a conclusive answer but we hope these observations are hopeful. We do very little domestic travel business at our firm. Well over 95% of our clients are traveling overseas and we have not had a single cancellation that we can trace directly to the concerns listed in this response. You did not say where you live – but, sadly, it is likely that wherever you call home is less statistically safe than the places in Europe you are contemplating visiting. Let that fact guide you in your decisions.
