Page 6 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SUMMER 2025 THAILAND
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RON & MARY’S EDITOR’S NOTE
A ROCKY SUMMER FOR TRAVEL
S hould I stay or should I go? a result of our country’s shifting political al-
liances? It’s a chill most Americans are reluc-
That’s not just a lyric—it’s the ques-
tant to risk encountering, especially in
tion on many traveler’s mind this sum-
mer.
open arms.
Americans wonder if they will be welcome countries that have always welcomed us with
abroad. In cities like Barcelona and Venice, Safety concerns are high this summer too.
protests over overtourism are flaring once Recently, in the wake of conflict in the Middle
again. Much of the frustration is aimed at in- East, the U.S. State Department issued a global
vestors who’ve turned homes into short-term alert for Americans abroad to “exercise in-
rentals, driving up housing prices for locals. creased caution.” Travel is being disrupted and
But there’s also resentment over the sheer volatile situations are possible all around the
crush of visitors—crowds that erode daily life world. Under the circumstances, a chill on
and rob beloved cities of their charm. American travel abroad seems inevitable.
Growing resentments toward Trump-era In other countries, travelers are evaluating
policies also worry American travelers. Will their welcome in America.
they face a backlash or worse in countries In our last issue, we warned that Trump-
struggling economically in the wake of new era policies, including erratic tariffs and tight-
high tariffs? Will they feel growing distance as ening visa rules, were pushing international
6 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE SUMMER 2025
