An Australian traveler was denied entry to the US and deported after a 24-hour flight from Sydney to New York via Hong Kong, despite having no visa irregularities. US immigration cited his unusual travel route as the reason.
The incident highlights growing concerns about stricter US border policies and their potential negative effects on tourism. The inbound travel market is a significant revenue source for the US, and there are reports of decreased bookings from Europe. The article notes a significant drop in Australian visitors since the Trump administration's stricter vetting procedures.
Experts are advising international travelers to delete sensitive data from their devices or even bring a burner phone to avoid potential issues at US borders. This underscores the increasingly cautious approach tourists must take when visiting the US.
The article concludes that unless the situation improves, the US could face a significant downturn in tourism, comparable to that seen after 9/11.