
International travelers are showing signs of hesitation following new rules from the Trump administration that would require some visitors to disclose their social media account activity. While it remains unclear which details would be collected or how they would be used, ESTA applicants under the Visa Waiver Program would reportedly need to provide account information for the past five years. ESTA currently allows citizens from 42 countries—including the U.K., Australia, Japan, Italy, and Israel—to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa, submitting only basic information like passport numbers, birth dates, and criminal history. A recent World Travel & Tourism Council survey of roughly 5,000 international residents found that about one-third would be less likely to travel to the U.S. under the new requirements. Two-thirds said the rules make the country feel less welcoming for both leisure and business trips. The WTTC warns that declining visitor numbers could slash U.S. tourism spending by an estimated $15.7 billion, cost more than 150,000 jobs, and weaken the country’s competitive standing in the global travel market.
























