b'LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORTariffs, Travel Trends, AT THE HELMand PVA AdvocacyJOHN GROUNDWATER // EXECUTIVE DIRECTORT ariffs have been a hot topic in the news over thedespitecontinuingtradeandeconomicuncertaintythey last several months. In March, President Trumpnonetheless intend to continue plans for leisure travel this levied a 25 percent tariff on international importsyear. Interestingly, the same survey yielded that 29 percent of aluminum and steel which prompted retaliatory tariffssaid they plan to change their trips from international to on similar U.S. exports. PVA member companies purchas- domestic destinations. Further, 24 percent of survey respon-ing steel and aluminum used in constructing or repairingdents indicated that they plan to opt for a less expensive passenger vessels were immediately affected by associatedmodes of transportation, while 22 percent said that they will higher prices. On April 2, 2025, the president announcedalter the length of stays for upcoming vacations.a new round of tariffs aimed at addressing trade imbalanc-es and ultimately intended to encourage greater domesticAs current tariffs are negotiated, the likely result will be a manufacturing.Thebroadereconomicimplicationsofcooling-off of trade tension that will have a positive impact these tariffs are being debated with very little agreementon travel and U.S. business health at-large. If tariffs are on the outcome. While some view tariffs as a necessary steppaused or even lowered, individuals may again feel secure to protect U.S. industries and level the playing field, othersaboutspendingdiscretionarydollarsontravel.Amore fear they could lead to inflation, a slowdown in the U.S.stabletradeenvironmentwillhopefullyquicklyemerge economy, or even recession.which will encourage international tourists to once again begin traveling in greater numbers to the U.S.INFLUENCE ON TRAVELThe jury is still out on the long-term impact of tariffs onPVA 2025 CONGRESSIONAL FLY INtheeconomyingeneral;however,researchhasindicated that tariffs are expected to affect, at least on the short term, inbound international travel to the U.S. in 2025. According to Travelweek, cross-border travel from Canada to the U.S. in March 2025 was down by 32 percent by automobile, and 13.5 percent by air compared to the same month in 2024. Alarmingly, airline bookings from Canada to the U.S. have reportedly dropped by over 70 percent for the upcoming summer season. This trend could significantly affect the tourismeconomiesofstatessuchasFlorida,NewYork, and others which rely heavily on Canadian tourism dollars. Atthesametime,internationalresearchfirm,Tourism Economics, is projecting that inbound international travel from Europe and beyond to the U.S. in 2025 will decrease by almost 13 percent as a result of a continuing trade war.PVAvesselandassociatemembersaregatheringthis DOMESTIC TRAVEL month in Washington D.C., to represent our association, APPEARS TO BE DURABLE and industry, on Capitol Hill for the PVA Congressional On a much brighter note, some travel experts have indicatedFly-In. This annual gathering in the nations capital is an through their research that U.S. travelers have shown thatimportant event where PVA members and staff interact, Continued on page 547 APRIL 2025'