A frightening incident at a U.S. airport has caused international tourists to cancel planned trips, raising concerns about travel safety.
Recent events at U.S. airports have led some tourists to reconsider their travel plans.
An Australian woman has shared her concerns online, prompting many others to think twice about visiting the United States.
Australian woman raises concerns on social media
Remi Meli, an Australian, posted a video on TikTok expressing her worries about traveling to New York City in December.
Her concerns stem from reports of two German teenagers who faced serious issues upon arriving in Hawaii.
Meli’s video quickly gained attention and sparked discussions among fellow Australians.
German teenagers deported from the US over unexpected mistake
Charlotte Pohl, 19, and Maria Lepere, 18, traveled to Honolulu but ended up detained at the airport.
They reported being subjected to full-body scans and strip searches. After being held overnight in a cell, they were deported back to Germany.
The customs agents flagged their lack of accommodation bookings as a reason for their detention.
Reactions from potential travelers
Meli’s video, titled “manifesting NYC Christmas magic, not an interrogation room,” received numerous comments from viewers.
Many Australians reported canceling their trips due to safety concerns and the rising cost of travel.
One commenter mentioned that they also decided to cancel their NYC plans, citing similar fears.
‘Was meant to be going to NYC in December too, we have cancelled. The safety is a concern but also the dollar declining, it will be crazy expensive,’ one person said.
Others echoed this sentiment, stating they wouldn’t travel to the U.S. anytime soon.
‘Not going to lie, you couldn’t pay me to travel to the US anytime soon,’ commented another.
Some users referenced the Trump Administration’s deportations, expressing worry about the risks involved in visiting the country.
Despite the negative reactions, some people shared their positive experiences in the U.S.
A few travelers insisted they had no issues during their visits to cities like New York and Los Angeles.
They encouraged others to not be swayed by social media fears, stating that strict entry protocols have been in place since 9/11.
‘Nope, I’m still going. You gotta stop listening to social media,’ one person said.
‘I’m an Australian and I just travelled to NY and LA a few weeks ago and was fine,’ another added.
‘I’m leaving today. Just fear mongering. US has been strict about entry since 9/11. I can’t wait to go,’ another said.
Meli’s intentions behind the video
In an interview with Daily Mail Australia, Remi Meli explained that her video was meant to share genuine concerns rather than spread fear.
She was surprised by the strong reactions, especially from women who related to her worries.
Meli noted that her goal was to be honest about her thoughts on traveling to New York.
‘I made the video just sharing some genuine concerns I had about traveling to New York as an Aussie,’ she said.
‘I never expected it to gain so much attention, and while the responses have been really mixed.
‘My intention was never to spread fear or misinformation – just to be honest about something that’s been on my mind.’
Decline in Australian visitors to the U.S.
Recent statistics show that the number of Australians visiting the U.S. has dropped by 8 percent in the past year, marking the sharpest decline since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Other countries, like Germany and the UK, have experienced even larger decreases in visitors.
German tourism has fallen by 28 percent, while the UK saw a 14 percent drop.
Economic impact of reduced tourism
Jared Mondschein, a research director at the United States Studies Centre, pointed out that the decline in tourism is negatively affecting the U.S. economy.
‘The impact of a decline in both tourists and students is economically challenging for the United States,’ he said.
Mondschein explained that similar issues have occurred under both Democratic and Republican administrations.
He cited the case of an Australian student, Jack Dunn, who was detained and deported in 2022 due to travel issues.
‘The fact that we are seeing headlines about this is not unprecedented,’ he said.
‘I know this has happened before, and even if a Democrat were to take office in the next administration, it could happen again in the future,’ Mr Mondschein said.
Government travel warnings for Australians
The Australian Government’s SmartTraveller website has issued warnings to tourists heading to the U.S.
They advise travelers to exercise normal safety precautions and be aware that U.S. authorities have broad powers over entry eligibility.
Australians are encouraged to understand all relevant terms and conditions before attempting to enter the country.