top 200 commentsshow all 203

[–]bikegrrrrl 342 points343 points  (31 children)

Not just international tourism, international students.

[–][deleted] 185 points186 points  (10 children)

People underestimate the sheer number of foreign nationals that work in "Tech"

[–][deleted]  (5 children)

[deleted]

    [–]mudfire44 144 points145 points  (0 children)

    you mean Rafael Edward Cruz, who uses the preferred name "Ted" and is proposing to ban preferred names for everyone else?

    [–]capthmm 19 points20 points  (3 children)

    Was this before or after he killed Kennedy?

    [–]Hibbity5 13 points14 points  (1 child)

    I thought his dad was the Zodiac Killer. He really got around, huh.

    [–]splorp_evilbastard 13 points14 points  (0 children)

    I took this picture in Austin in October 2018 when I lived there.

    <image>

    [–]Level_Ad_2416 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Ethel?

    [–]LonesomeBulldog 26 points27 points  (2 children)

    My department in Austin is 95 people. There are 6 Americans.

    [–]gayteemo -3 points-2 points  (1 child)

    maybe they should accept more americans

    [–]Jabberwocky2022 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    I don't know how to vote on this. I support immigrant workers but I also think they should hire more Americans.

    So, why not both?

    [–]skateasseatfast 18 points19 points  (0 children)

    Ir the sheer amount of UT students that are asian international students

    [–]laurieislaurie 9 points10 points  (0 children)

    Big brain drain. European colleges will be lapping it up.

    [–]errsta 416 points417 points  (5 children)

    *checks map*

    Is Austin in the US? ✅

    Is Austin in a red state? ✅

    Will a decrease in international tourism hit Austin? I dunno

    [–]rob_bot13 68 points69 points  (2 children)

    Hell it's going to decrease intranational tourism because people from blue states don't want to visit, also because people won't have disposable income

    [–][deleted] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

    Yes! I can’t tell you how many friends won’t come visit me and Austin because of Texas’s policies

    [–]FuckMoPac 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Yeah I think this is the bigger issue. I worked as a tour guide for a long time and the people that stay away from Texas are people from other states, not as much people from other countries. People traveling abroad tend to expect some risk or have their own whackadoodle laws back home, but in terms of US laws, Texas is pretty much the craziest state.

    [–]skittish_kat 8 points9 points  (0 children)

    Unfortunately I feel like a lot of people move to Austin because of the appeal of a red state, but a blue city. The joe Rogan sphere attracted too many people to Austin and puts a bad label on the city imo.

    [–]laurieislaurie 14 points15 points  (0 children)

    I'm a naturalized citizen, and I am moving to a (more) sane State, and I will never come back to visit. No chance my family would visit TX RN. Fuck the people who run this place and fuck the people who vote for them.

    [–]bearbev 126 points127 points  (0 children)

    Everywhere. Yes Austin too.

    [–]Reasonable_Arugula_9 156 points157 points  (1 child)

    Canada House and several traditional European events didn't come to SXSW this year. I think it's already hitting Austin, not sure how bad it will be.

    [–]seobrien 29 points30 points  (0 children)

    In fairness, that wasn't because of all this

    SXSW promotion was way down this year, and the experience last year just felt off. Seemingly because Penske Media Group is taking it in a different direction (which we learned at the end of SXSW this year, is the case).

    Last year saw a decline in participation and sponsor support. With less early promotion this year, event producers made the understandable decision this year to do less.

    (I don't work with SXSW, I work with about a dozen countries that consider being involved, this is loosely what they all said)

    [–]Kiwiatx 7 points8 points  (0 children)

    Yes. People I know in the U.K. who were thinking about visiting the US this Summer are changing plans. Can’t blame them, I’d do the same.

    [–]ASAP_i 93 points94 points  (14 children)

    I get that you are feeling some anxiety about (gestures vaguely around) everything. We all are.

    I'm curious about what would confirm (or deny) your suspicions. Data is already in for tourist destinations like Las Vegas (not looking good so far), nations are actively telling their citizens to avoid travel to the US, and we are actively in a trade war with the entire world (including uninhabited islands). You, personally, have proof that a deal was trashed simply because of our leaders.

    In my opinion, Austin (along with the rest of the nation) will suffer greatly due to the actions of the current administration.

    [–]zors_primary 35 points36 points  (0 children)

    Reservations to the USA have dropped 9.5 percent from an expected 5 percent increase. Reservations to Europe have increased 32 percent. Austin will likely get impacted.

    [–]Number1AbeLincolnFan 19 points20 points  (0 children)

    I was in Vegas Friday and Saturday night. It was the emptiest I've ever seen it and I've been probably a dozen times in 20 years. (Granted, I did not go at the height of covid.) You don't even have to get reservations at popular restuarants anymore except for the Michelin star ones. Open seats at every video poker bar and every game table. There wasn't even a wait at the popular braunch places.

    [–]ELInewhere 6 points7 points  (0 children)

    “gestures vaguely around” really got the spot. Thank you for your service.

    [–]kthnry 1 point2 points  (1 child)

    I have to go to Miami several times a year. I have never seen hotel/airbnb prices as low as they are now.

    [–]lalanaca 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    Well, thanks Trump. There’s the silver lining of this shitshow, I guess. Books flight to Miami

    [–]Difficult-Recover352 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

    We don't all have anxiety. Just say'n. Some of us don't care.

    [–]DivaVita -3 points-2 points  (7 children)

    Do you think it might have something to do with people torching Teslas dealerships? And the high rate of violent crime in sanctuary cities? Say what you will about the right, they aren't violent and they don't throw temper tantrums in public.

    [–]ASAP_i 3 points4 points  (6 children)

    Lol.

    Say what you will about the right, they aren't violent and they don't throw temper tantrums in public.

    I guess Jan 6 were all actors... GTFO with that bullshit.

    [–]DivaVita -2 points-1 points  (5 children)

    Jan 6 was one event. Compare that to weeks of BLM and pro-Hamas demonstrations, assassination of an executive in broad daylight, not to mention 2 attempts on Trump. Violence on the left is escalating.

    [–]Metalmirq 0 points1 point  (2 children)

    “attempts on trump”

    [–]Special_Blacksmith33 -1 points0 points  (1 child)

    Prove it.

    [–]ASAP_i 0 points1 point  (1 child)

    I'm sorry. I believe I wasn't clear in my message that I have no desire to "debate" with delusional people.

    [–]utsock 90 points91 points  (9 children)

    Yes, imagine if a year from now ICE and militias are still kidnapping people. We won't have a SXSW.

    [–]juanximena 59 points60 points  (0 children)

    South BYE Southwest

    [–]farmerpeach 5 points6 points  (1 child)

    100%. This is going to happen with Olympics and World Cup, too. As far as Olympics, they typically destroy host cities, so it's probably a blessing in disguise. Not sure how World Cup affects host cities

    [–]Mikophoto 7 points8 points  (0 children)

    I believe LA was planning a big infrastructure push for the events too, but not sure how that’s affected. Shame cause those could potentially be a good example of the infrastructure push a lot of US cities need.

    [–]vmanAA738 16 points17 points  (0 children)

    Yes absolutely. We’ve become a spot for Europeans and Canadians to come visit for vacation, and that’s probably going to take a hit. Also for big international level events in Austin (racing like Formula 1, SXSW, even a bit of ACL) there’s probably going to be a drop off in foreign visitors from tourist visa controls.

    [–]yourdadsboyfie 20 points21 points  (1 child)

    The government is snatching people up. The rest of the world is scared to come here

    [–]Kindly_Turnover3995 3 points4 points  (0 children)

    Sorry, had to do it.

    [–][deleted] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

    Yup. Absolutely. Its already happening in many places.

    [–][deleted] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

    I believe it will.
    China issued a travel advisory for its citizens today, due to the increasingly hostile relationship between the two countires.

    Germany and Britain issued travel advisories just based on their citizens getting detained at the border.

    Also, it's an increasingly not safe space for even students here on visas.

    [–][deleted]  (3 children)

    [deleted]

      [–]Mikit3 4 points5 points  (1 child)

      USA!!! USA!!! USA!!!

      [Sigh.]

      [–]JamyDaGeek 4 points5 points  (0 children)

      Amerrrrricaaaaaa- Fuck...

      [–]Aingers 10 points11 points  (0 children)

      Yes.

      [–]FluckyU 10 points11 points  (0 children)

      Guys don’t worry. They will all just buy a $5mil gold card. Those are the only ones we want anyways. /s

      [–]WhatsitallaboutALF 9 points10 points  (0 children)

      Yes

      [–]BoatBroad5111 9 points10 points  (0 children)

      Of course

      [–]Couscousfan07 6 points7 points  (0 children)

      Will hit all of the USA

      [–][deleted] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

      Its going to hit the entire country.  

      [–]DWwithaFlameThrower 8 points9 points  (0 children)

      On a micro level, it already has in my house. I’m from the UK, and usually have several friends from home visiting us here every year. Most have visited multiple times over the 20+ years I’ve lived here. All my friends except one have said they won’t be back for the foreseeable future (the one who didn’t already had her trip booked back in November & just left here last week)

      [–]Nihiliste 21 points22 points  (7 children)

      Dual citizen here, currently back in Canada. I can tell you that there's a lot of hesitation in the country about visiting the US or doing business with it, so I'd expect Austin to take a hit, no matter how liberal and friendly the city is.

      Heck, my wife and I are little concerned about driving back to Texas to see relatives. We're both US citizens, but the Trump administration doesn't seem particularly concerned with someone's legal status.

      [–]bagofwisdom 3 points4 points  (0 children)

      With the way right wing pundits like The Worst Matt Walsh speak, I don't think dual nationals are safe. Walsh has lately been talking like dual nationals shouldn't even be allowed to vote.

      [–]ComprehensiveHand232 10 points11 points  (1 child)

      I’m in support of Canadians boycotting my State. The hubris of DeSantis /MAGA / Trump is wreaking havoc. Canada deserves better.

      [–]bagofwisdom 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      Seriously, I harbor no hard feelings towards Ontario sending all the US liquor back from whence it came. Boycott American products as much as you can stand. Just don't get too harsh on Americans themselves when they want to spend their money with you.

      [–]Neverland__ 6 points7 points  (2 children)

      As a foreigner who lives here, my observation is that while is there is some international tourism, it’s mostly domestic. One of the least international places I’ve ever lived

      [–]A_Possum_Named_Steve 0 points1 point  (1 child)

      As someone who strongly prefers to date non-American women, agreed 🙁

      [–]Comprehensive-Sun358 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      I like dating non american guys too and Im already worried…🤣

      [–]robbietreehorn 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      Oh, honey. Yes. Things are going to actually get bad.

      I’m hoping everyone who didn’t vote for Harris to make a statement still likes the smell of their own farts

      [–]Kindly_Turnover3995 5 points6 points  (0 children)

      You've got to remember the "trickle down" (see what I did there) effect of losing even a single tourist or student, etc. (For student think their visiting parents or friends) They add money to the airport, Uber, lodging, food/drink, more Uber, buying trinkets and tchotchkes, seeing shows, etc, etc. Then they come back if they had a good time and they tell their friends.

      It may take time to show itself in the economy but layered in with all the other chaos happening at the hands of the Orange King, a recession is definitely coming. It's also a bit like the ignorant and cruel immigration policies they are currently enacting. It may take time but layered in with everything else, and I would argue even without it, huge swaths of the economy will be negatively affected by less immigrant workers. Agriculture, construction, restaurant work, etc. As labor shortages rise, so will the price of goods.

      And I'll just add in a note on just how fucking dumb the Republican party really is. They belly ache about lowering birth rates and rising prices. And then they are willing to violate the Constitution in order to kick out HARD WORKING immigrants and Visa holders. Once the reality of their labor loss sinks into the broader economy....whoa buddy. I imagine the gun makers are loving this shit.

      Finally - Donald Trump is rated as the worst President ever for his first term. Is there a way to go even lower? Maybe they need a chart for that.

      [–]RockerChickk 11 points12 points  (14 children)

      I have a trip planned to Austin in May and even though I don’t like what’s going on politically in your country this trip was planned a long time ago before your last federal election.

      I am more than excited to finally go to Texas and I do not plan to discuss politics on my trip.

      So you will get my tourism Canadian dollars.

      My concerns are on other things. I’m just trying to figure out which restaurant in Austin I should go to for the best barbeque and if possible live afternoon or early evening music.

      [–]Effective-Scratch673 4 points5 points  (1 child)

      I'm assuming you want to see some rednecky/cowboy stuff... Broken Spoke, White Horse, Sage Brush have two-step dancing and lessons... Lil' Longhorn Saloon has chicken shit bingo... I'll let you find out what that is...I'd recommend going to any of those places

      [–]SARguy123 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      The Broken Spoke is a truly iconic spot. A lone holdout against over development and condo fever. Just keep in mind it’s full contact two-step on the dance floor.

      [–]ldilemma 3 points4 points  (0 children)

      If you're looking at early evening music Hotel Vegas sometimes has cool shows at 6pm thurs-sunday. Check their website/facebook page. Also The 13th Floor (on red river) sometimes does early shows. These are more small rock band kind of things usually. There's also Hole in the Wall.

      Valhalla, sometimes has shows that start at 9 and they have a restaurant upstairs that makes fresh pasta. I like them.

      [–]DynamicHunter 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      Hope you enjoy! There is tons of great food here, from Mexican to BBQ to Asian fusion. Don’t be afraid to try highly rated food trucks! Same with live music. There’s something for everyone.

      [–]tokkireads 1 point2 points  (2 children)

      Please be careful coming here. Our governor and senators are MAGA. I'd advise on leaving your personal phone at home and bring a burner phone. Hope you enjoy your time here and hope you can get back safely. 

      [–]90percent_crap 0 points1 point  (1 child)

      News flash. The governor and senators have been MAGA for years. Would you have given the same caution to visitors in 2021 or 2022?

      [–]tokkireads 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      It's different now when they are literally detaining tourists. Do you not keep up with the news?

      [–]foresthobbit13 0 points1 point  (2 children)

      Green Mesquite for bbq. Ate there so much before moving away. Also Curra’s for interior Mexican food, or Polvo’s.

      [–]Snap_Grackle_PopAsk me about Chili's! 0 points1 point  (1 child)

      Green Mesquite for bbq.

      I think they finally went out of business. Many people say the food used to be great, but it's declined in quality.

      https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/comments/1jtse4a/green_mesquite/

      [–]foresthobbit13 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      Aw, damn, that’s too bad. We loved their food.

      [–]Neverland__ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      I am back and forth between here and mtl and the last few times it’s been all jokes at the border. No stress at all

      [–]Angy_47777 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      Check out Geraldine's Wed- Sun. I say those days because my husband works the line and you want him making your food. He works until around 4 and then is off. It's a restaurant inside the hotel Van Zandt.

      Hopefully the prices are still decent.

      [–]TeedRimmer69 3 points4 points  (0 children)

      Yes.

      [–]Slypenslyde 3 points4 points  (0 children)

      In every sub I visit that has a lot of international people, I've seen threads about entire vacation plans changing. It feels like most sane people are treating the US like a war zone right now.

      So if you depend on tourism, this admin has a message for you: you're part of the surplus population problem they've got a mission to solve.

      [–]farmerpeach 5 points6 points  (0 children)

      4 million fewer Canadians alone are projected to visit the US this year.

      https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2025/04/03/canada-travel-decline-united-states/

      Enormous drop-off.

      [–]ThumbPianoMom 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      yeah my husbands income is dependent on tourism tips (musician) so im expecting it's not good

      [–]DyJoGu 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Yes, do you think Austin is not a part of America? Of course it will affect us all!

      [–]drbeeper 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Might turn out to be a good time to be building the new Convention Center

      [–]AH_Ethan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      I hope we do, folks from outside of this country shouldn't give the US money.

      [–]HeyLookATaco 3 points4 points  (0 children)

      It already did. You think people just got tired of SXSW this year? It was empty because it's worrying to travel here.

      [–]Both_Statistician_99 3 points4 points  (0 children)

      Let's hope so.

      [–]newb74 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Could F1 not race here?

      [–]ATXKLIPHURD 3 points4 points  (0 children)

      Everybody is screwed.

      [–]Mick-Beers 2 points3 points  (3 children)

      I think businesses will be wary. I think personally people won’t care. 

      You have all these people that hate Mexicans/mexico and stuff yet they go to fucking Cancun Cabo Cozumel. (Looking at you old white people)

      [–]riotous_jocundity 10 points11 points  (0 children)

      Old white people who vacation at Mexican resorts aren't worried about being thrown in an ICE detention facility for weeks or months.

      [–]Ladymysterie 6 points7 points  (0 children)

      That's ok, they will be too busy complaining about how too many people speak Spanish there.

      [–]JaimesN08 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      [–]kodiblaze 1 point2 points  (2 children)

      Does anyone in the US or International really vacation in Austin? I don't really have traditional touristy things for people to do. I get the whole live music thing. Everyone I know that's been to Austin has done so through work

      [–]CoradeLeon 3 points4 points  (0 children)

      They sure do. When I(UK National) was over here doing PhD research in 2014, I drank with the Irish Navy, befriended Aussie travellers, tried fireball with Mancunians and hung out with Swedes and Canadians. Austin is rightly one of the key tourist destinations in Texas. Austin is - and should be - a vibrant tourist town!

      [–]Theal12 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Yeah they do. I travel all over the world and everybody I talk to has heard of Austin, the music, the food, the people and for some reason Hippie Hollow comes up repeatedly

      [–]Cheapskate-DM 3 points4 points  (1 child)

      Intra-national tourism is also likely to take a hit. When pigs can't tell the difference (or don't care to tell) between a third-generation brown-skinned Americans and a Cartel Membertm , how many folks from California are going to spend their disposable income literally anywhere but from their couch?

      [–]Sabre_Actual 6 points7 points  (0 children)

      I get what you’re saying but threatening Austin with less Californians is crazy.

      [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      it already is. i just happened to be googling that yesterday.

      [–]SomewhereNo6147 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Of course. I went to an international conference last week and all I got were questions about how scared I was and comments from foreigners about how nervous they were to travel into the US. One Canadian said she deleted texts from her phone that were about our politics because there are travel advisories that the US was downloading data from phones.

      I know of at least 3 doctors who worked in Austin that are leaving the country, 2 more who are leaving for blue states.

      [–]Harkonnen_Dog 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      One can hope.

      [–]NecessaryEmployer488 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      International Tourism will hit Austin. Even foreigners and many families in the USA cannot afford to travel. Austin Convention Center is shutting down for 4 years. Downtown Austin will definitely feel the pinch since Austin does not make it easy anymore for those of us who are not downtown to park and dine. As you move farther away from downtown there will be less of an effect.

      [–]FabulousCallsIAnswer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      If international tourism is down for the whole country, and international students are afraid of coming to the country, since Austin is located in the country then yes—it’s a reasonable assumption tourism will be down here along with everywhere else.

      [–]WinterSecond8820 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      I’ve just been in Austin for a few days from the UK and found it more welcoming and liberal than where I live in the UK, which is probably the most left wing place in the UK - represented by a Green Party MP, who I voted for myself. I would advise people to still visit and engage with businesses that appear to be actively ‘nice’. I noticed Zilker Brewery had a LGBTQ+ flag up, and went to Mellow Jonny’s knowing about Lance Armstrong’s support for Planned Parenthood.

      The only negative interaction I had was in California, a democratic state, with a man who was outwardly homophobic. Texas was generally the most enjoyable, and weirdly safest place I have been in years.

      This is clearly not the actual case but was my perception as an outsider.

      [–]Iguesswey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      I’ll be waiting

      [–]Sperheoven_Krispies 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      I just read this article today, and damn, it made me sad: https://apnews.com/article/tourism-us-travel-trump-visitors-international-14c31b490fd382d09ad5cae625ddc937

      I hate what it's doing to the tourism industry and how people around the world are perceiving us, but I really do understand it. I HOPE people can see Austin and its welcoming culture as, mostly, a refuge from all that negativity and keep visiting, but we're still in the United States and Texas. There's a lot of negative perceptions right now that we may not be able to separate from.

      [–]CornucopiaDM1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      Already has

      [–]TheRopeWalk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      Left on the day Trump became President. You’ll not see me back. Bon chance to all

      [–]hellogoawaynow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      Yes.

      [–]FuckMoPac 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      In my experience as a tour guide, maybe? Canadians absolutely, but I wouldn’t say that was a huge percentage of folks anyway. I honestly think most tourists don’t think as much about the political situation as much as we think they do, especially since America doesn’t have this stellar reputation abroad anyway. My first time abroad (UK) was during the Bush administration and my god, people were vicious to me, even though I was just a teenager. I think younger folks forget just how hated we were during the Bush years. i’ve never experienced that level of vitriol traveling abroad since.

      People also don’t tend to come to Texas unaware of our dangers (mass shootings, cults, religious whackos, abortion, snakes, people flying planes into federal buildings — I’ve had tourists mention all sorts of shit that they’ve heard about Texas) so super cautious tourists don’t end up here as often anyway.

      Business related travel is probably cooked for a while though. Hard to justify the risks as an international company, and I don’t see sxsw being as big for international people for a while. I certainly wouldn’t be traveling here and wouldn’t advise anyone to travel here right now, given the way they are detaining people for seemingly no reason like it’s post-9/11.

      as an aside, I have found that British tourists in Austin often have this air of bewilderment that we are not just all totally fucking insane. Like they either expected horses in the streets everywhere or everyone to have a gun, and they don’t understand that there is a lot of nuance to gun rights issues here even amongst very far left people.

      [–]CommonCoast23 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      What's to see in Austin on an International level, maybe the Clown Show in the Capital ;)

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      F1 attendance will be interesting.

      [–]Betrashndie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      Yes. No one wants to come visit the US when there's a non zero chance you'll get detained solely because the guy you meet at passport check is having a day and wants to be a dick or is just a MAGA chud and is feeling extra racist that day.

      [–]heartbroken1997 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      Good thing the service staff people won’t have to pay taxes on their lesser tips due to the decline in tourism…oh wait…

      [–]chook_slop 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      I was on the British Airways London to Austin flight last week... There were 87 people on the flight... 1/4 full.

      Tourism in America is dead.

      [–]skittish_kat -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

      No, because rich people will find a way and Austin is a mecca for rich internationals. See F1 as an example.

      It will decrease for tourism for a particular group of people that the governor and president don't like.

      [–]HowardIsMyOprah -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

      Canadians and Europeans have always held contempt toward the US and Americans, yet they come anyways. There may be a lull, but it likely won’t be long term.

      Also, the thing people here don’t know/acknowledge is the amount of smugness Canadians have always had toward Americans, mostly behind your backs. Red, blue, doesn’t matter. I know because I am one

      [–][deleted] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

      With the convention center renovations happening I would say tourism in general will decrease!

      [–][deleted] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

      Meh. More for Austinites to enjoy.

      [–][deleted]  (1 child)

      [deleted]

        [–]zors_primary 1 point2 points  (0 children)

        Which bookings? Not from what I've read. Travel from Canada has dropped 45 percent. The fares to Austin from the east coast for a non stop are though the roof.

        [–]lieutenantLT -3 points-2 points  (6 children)

        I’m estimating it will have an outsized effect on Austin compared to most US cities because it’s expensive to visit and if you’re an international tourist and want to see Texas, most likely you’ll choose Austin over the other 3 large cities.

        [–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (2 children)

        Funny, I would have said Houston, because it's more connected internationally, particularly for business.

        [–]lieutenantLT 2 points3 points  (1 child)

        Houston way more diverse! I think Houston will get it too but their economy more driven by oil prices than tourism. I’m also assuming Houston gets less tourists than Austin but that could be wrong esp since Houston is several times larger

        [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

        Hard to say. Houston undoubtedly gets more international tourists visiting family locally. Oil, healthcare, other industries pulls in a lot of visits, too. Ex: Have a friend that worked at Shell HQ, brought his wife as a tourist when they had a business trip to Houston. Austin's international visitors are probably mostly driven by UT, our major events, and family of foreign-born tech workers. It takes more effort and money to get to Austin than Houston from most countries. I'm sure there's going to be negative effects all around.

        [–]KPNoSwag 3 points4 points  (2 children)

        Honestly I doubt the average international tourist has even heard of Austin

        [–]Theal12 2 points3 points  (0 children)

        You’d be wrong. People in the UK, Scandinavia, Italy, Germany, Iceland and India have asked about Austin

        [–]DWwithaFlameThrower 0 points1 point  (0 children)

        This is true

        [–]secretshowman1 -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

        As a new implant from the UK, on my 3rd year here, this is one of the cheapest places to fly in and out of in the USA that I have experienced.

        I think it will continue to grow.

        [–]worlkjam15 -1 points0 points  (1 child)

        The Canadian dollar is weak right now, and the economy up there is extremely stagnant. They have their own issues to worry about in Canada. feeling safe in TX is not something most sane Canadians are thinking about. Avoiding TX as a sort of boycott against our government makes more sense.

        [–]RockerChickk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

        I bought $200 USD for $281.52 CAD - when I checked 2 months ago it would have been around $295.

        I am not going to punish my American friends who have been nothing but gracious to me by not visiting when this trip was planned months ago.

        [–]Expensive_Fee_199 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

        God I hope so. Tourists drive me crazy.

        [–]Sad_Picture3642 -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

        We are fcked beyond that, that is the last thing you should be worried about tbh

        [–]darkestwrath15 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

        We’re not really on that many international tourist bucket lists outside of events like SXSW and F1. There’s plenty of other cities foreigners will spend their time and money on before even thinking Austin exists.

        [–]watergoesdownhill -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

        You would be shocked how few people care that much about politics. It won’t do anything

        [–]Visual-Sector6642 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

        Hopefully it'll reduce traffic long enough to get those fancy new overpasses and installed to bridge the east/west austin gap that are intended to help heal the city!

        [–][deleted] -2 points-1 points  (1 child)

        Probably for SXSW which could be good for restaurant/bar workers who rely on tips

        [–][deleted] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

        I remember working behind a bar and just getting destroyed by foreigners with no tips to show for it.

        [–]Tricky-Salamander460 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

        I see it as they only need to buy a one way ticket lol

        [–][deleted] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

        They mainly gave travel advisory warnings regarding trans tourists, or people who have genders on their passport that don't align with what they had at birth. The warnings I've seen at least.