WTTC Warns Proposed U.S. "Social Media Checks" Could Cost 157,000 Jobs

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) issued a stark warning today, February 2, regarding proposed changes to the U.S. ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) program. 

The new research, conducted in partnership with Oxford Economics, suggests that requiring wider social media disclosures from international visitors could reduce traveler spend by up to $15.7 billion and result in the loss of 157,000 American jobs. 

According to the WTTC survey, one-third of international travelers would be "less likely" to visit the U.S. if the policy is implemented.

The proposed policy is intended to strengthen national security, but the WTTC argues it makes the U.S. feel "less welcoming and less attractive" for both leisure and business travel. 

Business travel buyers have already expressed concern, with 78% of respondents in a recent GBTA poll stating they are "somewhat or very concerned" about the impact on their employees. This debate highlights the ongoing tension between border security and tourism economic health in 2026, as the U.S. government looks to tighten vetting procedures.

For travelers from ESTA-eligible countries (such as the UK, Germany, and Japan), these proposed changes represent a significant new hurdle in the visa-free entry process. 

If the policy moves forward, 2026 could see a shift in "meeting and convention" destinations, as global companies opt for more "frictionless" hubs in Europe or Asia. The WTTC is calling for a "balanced approach" that maintains security without alienating the millions of visitors who power the U.S. tourism economy.