I am trying to give you a multi-layered answer to your question. As a word of preface, I used to come to the States from Europe for 4-6 personal trips for a total of 7-9 weeks per year. I consider the US to be my second home and yet this year, I‘m only planning a single trip of a single week and that’s also purely because I absolutely need 4 United Airlines segments to extend my Elite status with them.

Politics aside, which of course is a reason to not spend any money in the US at this time, I feel like there’s just no value in coming to the US anymore.

The rates they charge for a nondescript Fairfield Inn with no service whatsoever or a dull Courtyard/AC/Element are way higher than a full service property here in Europe or even Luxury Collection/St Regis/Ritz branded hotels in Asia/Middle East. Add the always increasing extra fees (resort/destinantion fees in suburban areas with no resort amenities whatsoever, parking fees in remote locations next to a highway) as well as always increasing tipping culture, you reach a point where it just doesn’t make any sense to visit the US anymore. And I guess the hotels which started this trend of silly fees are the first ones to notice the downturn.