The Sign: Travel to the U.S. Is Declining for a Reason
We’re not imagining it. According to the latest data from the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office, inbound travel to the United States has dropped over 11% year-over-year in early 2025. That includes sharp declines from Australia, Canada, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
The causes are layered: safety concerns, economic factors, visa delays, and what many travelers describe as a sense of being “unwelcome.” For families, solo travelers, and global entrepreneurs, the message is clear: the U.S. is no longer a guaranteed stop—or even a preferred one.
But here’s the deeper insight: This isn’t just about tourism. It’s about trust. It’s about lifestyle design. And it’s about the reimagination of where freedom lives.
The Shift: Global Travelers Are Rewriting the Map
From Lisbon to Bali, Cape Town to Tbilisi—travelers are making different choices.
Instead of chasing prestige destinations, they’re asking:
- “Will I feel safe here?”
- “Will my money go further?”
- “Does this place align with the way I want to live?”
The answers are reshaping everything:
Portugal continues to draw creatives and families thanks to its D7 and digital nomad visa options, lower cost of living, and healthcare access.
Spain remains a favorite for its infrastructure and cultural depth—but now with more intentional migration from younger professionals.
Ghana, Panama, and South Korea are seeing growth among diaspora travelers and expats building legacy wealth abroad.
One RYL Abroad member from London shared: “I always dreamed of doing Route 66. But now? I’d rather spend two months in South Africa or Vietnam and feel inspired every day.”
The Strategy: What This Means for the Freedom-Focused
If you’re someone building a location-independent life, this moment isn’t a red flag—it’s a green light. The decline in U.S. travel isn’t the problem. It’s a symptom. People are no longer traveling just to escape. They’re traveling to build. To breathe. To realign. That’s why the strategy now is:
- Don’t just book a trip—build a blueprint.
- Choose destinations that match your values and your goals.
- Start with digital income, add your relocation plan, and then move when the foundation is solid.
The Move: Design a Life Beyond Borders
This shift is bigger than trends. It’s a lifestyle migration. People are:
- Leaving the U.S. for better healthcare, safety, and peace.
- Creating digital products that fund their global life.
- Choosing countries that invite their presence, not just tolerate it.
Whether you’re eyeing Portugal, Ghana, Panama, or Malaysia—this is your window. And you’re not too late. But you do need to move with purpose.
The Vault: Tools to Make the Shift Real
Inside the RYL Digital Vault, we’re tracking these changes in real time.
Members get:
- Plug-and-play digital business templates
- Visa strategy guides
- Relocation blueprints
- A community that gets it
So if you’re watching the world shift and wondering where you fit into all of it—this is your sign. The world is not closing down. It’s opening up.
And the next chapter of freedom is one you get to design.
Ciao,
Global Lifestyle Strategist
Founder RYL Digital Vault + RYL Abroad