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Over the past several weeks, there have been a series of reports about foreign tourists to the U.S. being detained, held, and even deported while trying to cross the border on a trip. Experts believe that increased uncertainty about the safety and stability of travel to the U.S. could have a detrimental effect on the nations tourism economy. Tourism Economics is a global travel data company that calculates travel forecasts based on the economic and demographic outlook for certain regions. The company initially predicted that foreign travel to the U.S. would increase by 8.8% in 2025but, last month, that shifted to a 5.1% decrease in response to polarizing Trump administration policies and rhetoric,” according to a statement shared with The Washington Post. The new report also predicts that spending by foreign tourists could decrease by 11%, leading to a total economic loss of $18.8 billion. The issue for holiday travelers is that they have a choice of when and where to travel, Adam Sacks, president of Tourism Economics, wrote in an email to Fast Company. This ultimate discretion means that antipathy towards a countrys leadership can have appreciable effects. This is on top of the negative economic consequences of tariffs. According to Neri Karra Sillaman, an entrepreneur expert at Oxford University and author of the upcoming book Pioneers: 8 Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs, foreign travelers fears of higher visa scrutiny and extended processing times under the Trump administration could be a major deterrentultimately leading to a decline across the tourism and hospitality industries. Recent reports of detained tourists spark concern On the campaign trail, President Trump promised to launch mass deportations of immigrants. And as he ramps up the rate of deportations, multiple travelers from outside the U.S. have reported being detained by ICE while trying to enter the country, despite possessing some form of visa. Early this month, CNN reported that German tattoo artist Jessica Brösche was vacationing in Mexico when she decided to travel to the U.S. with a friend. Instead, she was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the San Ysidro port of entry and held in detention for over a month. Brösche entered the U.S. via the Visa Waiver Program agreement that the U.S. has with Germany and 40 other countries. According to a statement from ICE to CNN, Brösche was detained due to the violation of the terms and conditions of her admission.” Her friends contest that this was a misunderstanding of Brösches intentions to provide free tattoos for her friends in the states, which ICE took to mean that she intended to work in the country without a work visa. Other reports of detained foreign travelers in the last few weeks have included a German hiker who was allegedly detained and deported despite possessing a B2 travel visa; a Canadian entrepreneur who claims she was arrested by ICE while trying to obtain a new visa; and a British tourist on a backpacking trip who says she was held in an ICE detention center for having a travel visa rather than a working visa. An increasingly bleak outlook for the tourism economy Sillaman says these occurrences could point to increased visa scrutiny more broadly under the Trump administration, leading travelers to view entering the U.S. as too difficult or unpredictable. Even if you get a visa, you have the risk of being detained or to be denied, Sillaman says. She adds that, even as someone with a valid U.S. visa whos married to an American, shes concerned about entering the country under the current conditions. I’m telling you my perspective as someone who is not a citizen: I’ve never broken the law, I’m an academic, I have a good job, yet when I enter the U.S., especially at this time, I do have a little bit of hesitation. This is coming from someone who shouldn’t have any reason to fear. [Image: courtesy Adam Sacks/Tourism Economics] The latest data released by the government reflects the fact that overseas visitors are increasingly hesitant to visit the U.S. Compared to last February, foreign travelers were down 2.4% total, with sharp declines in visitors from Africa, Asia, and Central America. In response to Trump’s proposed tariffs against Canada, Canadians have seemingly begun boycotting travel to the U.S., with one report noting that “return trips” to Canada had dropped by 23% last month (implying that those Canadians were no longer visiting the U.S. at all). The U.S. Travel Association predicted that just a 10% annual dip in Canadian tourism could result in a $2.1 billion loss and jeopardize 14,000 American jobs. Sacks noted that this travel slump isn’t entirely new: During Trumps first administration, policies like his 2019 travel ban on several majority-Muslim countries caused travel to decline sharply after three years of growth. [Image: courtesy Adam Sacks/Tourism Economics] As of 2024, visits to the U.S. have still not recovered to 2019 levels, Sacks says. Overseas travel was down 13%, Canada was down 2.4%, and Mexico was down 7%. So the effects of antipathy towards the U.S. will rewind some of the progress that has been made toward full recovery. Sillaman argues that anti-American sentiment could have ripple effects across a number of industries. For businesses looking to host conferences and events with international employees, logistics could become more strained, and some foreign employees may choose not to attend. Additionally, she adds, the hospitality industry is one of the largest employers of immigrant workers in the U.S. If those workers find it more difficult to attain and use H-2B visas, this significant driver of the tourism economy could face significant workforce issues. A lot of the people who work in this particular industry are there on work visas, and this creates a potential issue particularly in places like Miami and New York that are going to bear the brunt of this impactwere more likely to see higher prices and lower service levels,” Sillaman says. “This happened during the pandemic, and my fear is that it can become much more difficult in the future. While Trump has yet to enact an official travel ban in his second term (though experts warn that a new one could be imminent), Sillaman believes that the current administrations attitude toward immigrants and foreign travelers has only become more harsh. While there is not a travel ban, it is on another level, Sillaman says. Its chilling. I think it’s a lot more planned, a lot more systematicI think Trump is also much more confident this time around. He keeps talking about having a mandate. There is a lot more brazenness.
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E-Commerce
Innovation doesnt happen in environments bogged down by rigid rules, excessive oversight, or unnecessary bureaucracy. The most transformative ideas actually emerge when employees have the freedom to experiment, take risks, and truly own their work. As a former executive at Oracle and the current CEO of the software company Incorta, Ive seen firsthand that traditional leadership structures often do more to stifle innovation than foster it. Instead of relying on rigid processes, leaders should focus on creating an environment where employees feel empowered to challenge the status quo. Here are four ways to cultivate that kind of workplace. 1. Hire for CapabilityThen Focus on Outcomes Too many leaders mistake constant oversightlike ensuring employees sit at their desks from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.for productivity. In reality, great innovation comes from hiring smart, capable people and giving them room to solve problems in their own way. But hiring the right people is only part of the equation. Leaders must also focus on outcomes rather than rigid processes. At many companies, leadership unintentionally slows progress by overcomplicating decision-making. Rather than trusting their employees, they create layers of approvals and bureaucratic processes that drain time and enthusiasm. When leaders micromanage, they create a culture of hesitation, and employees become afraid to make decisions, innovation slows, and morale suffers. To build a culture of innovation, leaders must hire for capability and alignment with the companys vision, then trust their employees to make the right choices. Instead of dictating every step, set clear objectives and let talented professionals determine the best way forward. When employees feel ownership, they take more initiative, leading to increased creativity and efficiency. Shifting the focus from rigid rules to impact-driven work fosters an environment where people feel trusted and motivated to find the best solutions. 2. Give Interns the Hardest Problems One of the most surprising lessons Ive learned is that our interns often come up with the most creative solutions. Theyre not burdened by outdated industry norms or ingrained ways of thinking, so they approach challenges with fresh perspectives. We put this philosophy into practice at Incorta by assigning interns some of our toughest projectslike refining AI models with advanced tools and building interactive data visualizations to enhance our marketplace. Time and again, theyve exceeded expectations, offering insights that even senior team members might overlook. The key? Giving them the freedom to explore unconventional solutions. In contrast, companies that limit interns to low-stakes, mundane tasks miss out on a valuable source of innovation and enthusiasm. 3. Encourage Lazy Thinking to Challenge Inefficiencies Some of the best innovations come from questioning the way things have always been doneand sometimes, from those looking for the easiest, most efficient way to get things done. I personally hate unnecessary steps. I dont want to stop at gas stations or sit in traffic for hours. So, I plan my day to eliminate inefficiencies, like living close to work, planning direct routes, and canceling unnecessary meetings. Small choices like these add up to more time for what really matters in my life, like engaging with customers and spending more time with my family. The same thinking applies to business. Many organizations rely on outdated workflows that require extra steps, redundant approvals, and time-consuming processes. Some of the best problem-solvers are those who find ways to work smarter, not harder. I encourage my team to rethink how work gets done, whether its streamlining data processes, cutting out unnecessary steps, or automating tedious tasks. This fosters a culture of continuous improvement. Leaders should empower employees to identify bottlenecks and experiment with better approaches. Creating space for employees to rethink work ultimately leads to better decision-making, greater efficiency, and stronger business outcomes. 4. Embrace Controlled Chaos True innovation doesnt happen in perfectly controlled environments. In fact, too much structure can kill creativity. Some leaders shy away from chaos, but I believe in structured freedomproviding clear goals without imposing unnecessary constraints. Creativity thrives in environments that allow for experimentation, play, and improvisation. Companies like Apple have long embraced this ethos, recognizing that some of the best ideas emerge when people are given the space to explore without fear of failure. Apples longstanding iterative design process, for example, allows for constant tinkering and refining, which has led to some of the most iconic products in tech history. A great way to foster this kind of culture is to take a page from improv comedy. The yes, and principlewhere participants build on each others ideas rather than shutting them downcreates an environment where creativity flows freely. Play-based work environments lead to higher engagement and breakthrough thinking. Some of the most innovative teams operate with a sandbox mentality, where new ideas are tested, refined, and evolved without judgment. Instead of fearing chaos, leaders should create an open forum for ideas, where employees feel free to test, iterate, and push boundaries without constant oversight. With clear goals and a culture that embraces exploration, teams will feel more confident taking bold steps toward meaningful innovation. The Freedom to Innovate At the end of the day, the companies that thrive are the ones that encourage curiosity, creativity, and calculated risk-taking. By giving employees more freedom, leaders tap into hidden potential and drive innovation in ways they never expected. The world doesnt move forward by following the status quo. It moves forward because people are willing to challenge it. So, if you want to create a truly innovative workplace, start by loosening the reins and letting your people do what they do bestthink, explore, and create.
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E-Commerce
In an era where trust is currency and sustainability is a non-negotiable, shoppers are demanding more than just green labels and vague promises. They want proof. Enter digital product passports (DPPs), a game-changing tool that gives consumers instant access to a products entire journey, from materials sourcing to sustainability credentials. That means, whether theyre buying a pair of running shoes or the latest smartphone, DPPs are making it easier to for them to shop smarter, cut through greenwashing, and support brands that truly walk the talk. The future of shopping is transparent Consumers often wonder where their clothes were made, how much carbon their new shoes emitted during production, or whether that eco-friendly label actually means anything. These passports help consumers answer those traceability questions in seconds. By simply scanning a QR code, consumers can unlock a products full story, from materials, to manufacturing processes, to certifications. DPPs can also be used by brands wanting to go the extra mile by sharing product impact, such as its unique carbon footprint, plus use phase care instructions and even repair or recycling options, helping shoppers take control of their own habits to lower their unique footprint. This isnt just a marketing gimmick. The European Unions new regulations, like the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), will soon require brands to disclose detailed impact data. That means transparency is shifting from a nice-to-have to a must-have, and the brands that embrace it now will be ahead of the curve. How digital product passports will help consumers shop smarter Instead of relying on vague sustainability claims, shoppers can view and verify a products impact. Plus, using climate data in marketing is already tried and tested, benefitting both consumers and brands. After an entire career dedicated to sustainability, this is the point I try to drive home most often: Consumers can determine if a product is designed with longevity in mind (think durable, repairable, and end-of-life options like 100% recyclable). Lastly, in an overcrowded market where fast fashion remains dominant, consumers can choose to back brands that are genuinely working to reduce their footprint. Instead of falling for greenwashing tactics or supporting companies that overlook sustainability altogether, consumers can reward those making real progress toward a lower-impact future. Why brands are paying attention For many companies, DPPs arent just about compliance. Theyre about consumer trust and finding a competitive edge. With shoppers becoming more conscious, brands that offer full transparency win loyalty. Instead of empty promises, they can showcase real data about their impact. To power this level of transparency, brands need serious data. By automating carbon calculations across thousands of products, companies like ours help brands seamlessly integrate real-time impact data into digital product passports. Luxury resale platforms are beginning to use DPPs to help consumers make informed second-hand purchases. Sportswear brands will be integrating them to help shoppers compare different material choices. Even electronics companies are adopting them to offer innovative repair and recycling pathways, moving to a more circular economy. Were partnering with forward-thinking companies like British jewelry brand Missoma and global lingerie brand Triumph to share product-level impact data through dedicated passports, ahead of ESPR regulations. These regulations will require DPPs but wont fully mandate them for at least another year. Triumphs first digital product passports are now available to e-commerce customers, says Vera Galarza, Triumphs global head of sustainability. At Triumph, its crucial that the data is completely accurate, she says, as customers want reliable and trustworthy information. For consumers, this means easy-to-understand environmental facts at their fingertips. For businesses, it means more accountability, better design choices, and deeper engagement with sustainability-minded customers. At Missoma, weve always believed in pushing boundaries when it comes to sustainability and transparency, says Marisa Hordern, founder and creative director at Missoma. This technology gives our customers a deeper connection to their jewelry, allowing them to trace every step of its journey, from ethically sourced gemstones to the final handcrafted piece. Missoma plans to expand use of DPPs across more of its collections, to help set a new traceability standard for the jewelry industry. We will also continue to empower our community to make more informed and conscious choices, she says. Shopping in the age of accountability For consumers, digital product passports mean more power, better choices and fewer regrets in the buying process. DPPs are not just a trend. Theyre becoming a legal requirement and will be part of your brands future. Soon, checking a products impact will be as normal as checking its price tag. Thats why its exciting that the brands leading the way today arent just ticking regulatory boxestheyre reshaping the shopping experience. The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more.
Category:
E-Commerce
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