On June 17, 2025, the Trump administration gave 36 countries a 60-day deadline to take action or face a potential U.S. travel ban. This follows a full ban on 12 countries and new restrictions on seven others that took effect June 9.
ASTA President & CEO Zane Kerby warns travel bans create industry-wide uncertainty and hurt small businesses.
The list includes several key destinations for both leisure and business travel. While the bans target inbound travelers, they risk provoking reciprocal measures—potentially limiting where U.S. citizens can go. Even in the absence of formal retaliation, such policies can deter Americans from visiting affected countries, dampening outbound demand and disrupting global travel planning.
ASTA firmly believes the U.S. government has both the right and responsibility to protect national security—but also maintains that safe, secure travel is essential to the global community and the vitality of the U.S. travel industry.
ASTA reiterated its stance, urging policymakers to pursue solutions that balance security concerns with the broader benefits of travel, including cultural exchange, mutual understanding and economic growth.
From ASTA President & CEO Zane Kerby:
“Every administration has the responsibility to protect national security, and that duty should never be taken lightly. But sweeping, country-wide travel bans are a blunt instrument accompanied by sweeping, unintended consequences—hindering legitimate business, discouraging visitors who strengthen our economy while simultaneously discouraging Americans from traveling abroad.
Travel bans, and simply the threat of such bans, don’t just disrupt inbound travel, they risk diplomatic strain and create uncertainty that ripples throughout the travel industry. That uncertainty harms the businesses of our travel advisor members, 98 percent of which are small businesses comprising an essential piece of the U.S. economy.
ASTAÂ acknowledges the real need for effective visa compliance and traveler vetting, and we hope our leaders will work collaboratively with the nations involved to resolve those issues without cutting off entire populations. We urge U.S. policymakers to pursue balanced, thoughtful solutions that uphold both our safety and our ideals while allowing the travel industry to thrive in an increasingly competitive environment.
Safe and secure travel is not just good policy. It is the foundation of international cooperation, economic growth and mutual understanding.”
