What's a U.S. economy to do if foreign tourists feel unloved?

I'm David Brancaccio. The travel and tourism industry contributes $2.9 trillion to the U.S. economy,

more even than the size of the automotive industry, but can travel and tourism thrive at a time the U.S. is working to overhaul border and trade policy.

I'm just back from what had been a red-hot spot for tourism in America, Las Vegas,

and found an economy that's being dealt some tough hands.

Dinner time on a weeknight. There are cars at the lights at the corner of all corners,

Las Vegas Boulevard, and Flamingo Road.

But traffic's a breeze.

Next month, the big Formula One event should bring a surge of racing fans.

And since it's Vegas, you'll always find some hubbub.

Here's Ashley from Toledo.

I'm a big TikTok person, so everything says it's going to be dead here.

It's a dying city, and we're like, it's not that dead.

So not dead spill, but using the August figures, the number of visitors is down 6.7% from a year earlier.

And under the video canopy covering Fremont Street downtown, foot traffic is also sparse.

Leah and Class are part of a Dutch and Belgian tour group out-sipping refreshment.

And they came, but...

Some people have our group, they skipped their trip because the situation here in the U.S.

You know, the situation, hardened borders and a global trade war,

higher fees to come into the U.S. and other restrictions for people without U.S. passports.

For instance, the early fall has typically been prime time for people from Mexico and point south to come,

but this time many Latin-themed events got cancelled.

...