Is There Anti-American Sentiment Abroad in 2025? What Locals Are Saying Around the World
- Team FTLO
- May 16
- 9 min read
Updated: 15 minutes ago
Are American tourists still welcome around the world in 2025?
It's a question travelers are asking more often — and with reason. With global headlines full of political tensions, divisive rhetoric, and economic unrest, it’s natural to wonder: Will I be judged or treated differently as an American abroad?
To get a clear, honest picture, we reached out to FTLO Travel’s local trip leaders in 13 different countries to get their perspective on how American travelers are received in 2025. Here is their on the ground account of what they’re seeing:
Quick Answer: Are American tourists welcome abroad in 2025?
Yes — our trip leaders from around the world have reported that American tourists are being treated with kindness, curiosity, and respect. The occasional political question may come up, but it's rarely hostile, and almost never personal.
🇬🇷 Greece
“Greece is all about philoxenia — locals genuinely enjoy hosting tourists. Americans are greeted with big smiles, lively conversations, and sometimes even an invitation for coffee or a meal in their homes! There are no issues. If anything, people are curious and excited to chat with American travelers. The overall atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming.”— Isaiah, FTLO Greece
🇬🇷 Crete
“The summer is fast approaching and the shores of Crete are receiving their first visitors, whether by flight or cruise. The island is one of the favorite summer spots for Europeans, yet in recent years, Americans are slowly but surely discovering this Mediterranean gem. Locals appreciate this change — Americans, despite staying fewer days, are more willing to do activities, purchase art, and do some serious shopping, which positively influences the local economy. Americans tend to be more polite and excited (they have traveled far to come here), which makes interactions more lively and positive.” Since the U.S. elections were in the news a lot, American travelers might expect a question or two on the subject, but this would come from pure curiosity about what's happening on the other side of the world. The main negative sentiment we’ve seen growing is toward the uncontrolled rise of Airbnb-style flats, which has raised rents significantly in the most visited destinations. In these cases, many people advise travelers to support family-owned hotels — they are the backbone of the tourism economy here. I don’t believe the average Greek is hostile toward Americans, and even if they were, we save face — we don’t really show our negative side.”— Manolis, FTLO Crete
🇨🇺 Cuba
“This is a very interesting topic. Many people think that American tourists are not welcome in Cuba due to political issues between the two governments. I can honestly tell you that these people are totally wrong. Cuban people in general are very welcoming and super friendly — especially with Americans. Just look at the feedback we receive from travelers. The differences between Cuba and the U.S. are purely political. Here’s a fun curiosity: In most Latin American countries, people refer to Americans as 'gringos' — which can be derogatory. But not in Cuba. In Cuba, we use the word yuma — a Cubanized form of 'you, my friend.' That’s how we see Americans — as friends. So yes, Americans feel welcomed and loved in Cuba.”— Ivan, FTLO Cuba
🇮🇹 Italy & Sardinia
“American travelers in Sardinia are generally met with warmth and curiosity. Locals are friendly and often go out of their way to make people feel at home. There’s a natural connection — Americans tend to be enthusiastic and open, which makes cultural exchanges really easy and enjoyable. Whether it’s through food, nature, or a casual chat in a village bar, the vibe is always positive. No tension — just good energy.”— Piera, FTLO Sardinia
“Italians love connecting with U.S. visitors — whether over a shared love of food, wine, or simply learning from each other. Tourism is thriving, and visitors, including Americans, are treated with kindness. There’s enthusiasm for sharing culture and making connections.”— Isaiah, FTLO Italy
🇭🇺 Hungary
“Thanks for asking. From my own and my former travelers’ experience, everything feels normal here and there is no widespread evidence of anti-American sentiment or behavior toward tourists in Hungary. There are political tensions between the U.S. and Hungary, but these issues primarily involve government-level disagreements and haven’t translated into negative experiences for American tourists. Most of them mention feeling very safe here and say they were welcomed by locals. I think visitors can expect a warm and hospitable environment, with people eager to share the rich culture and history.”— Lilla, FTLO Budapest/Vienna/Prague
“Due to recent happenings around the world, people here are generally occupied with larger global concerns — politics, wars, the economic crisis, even the death of the Pope. There’s a sadness across Europe, but also resilience. I personally remain very positive about the future. As for tourism, there’s a decline in numbers, likely due to fewer people having extra income to travel. But I haven’t heard of any anti-country scandals — especially not against the U.S. Our government favors the new American leadership, so it’s seen as a good sign for tourism. The average Hungarian doesn’t care about race, identity, or where you're from. We care about whether you come with love. Hungary has always been a safe, welcoming country. Don't let the media mislead you. People here are experienced with propaganda and don’t fall into media traps. If you visit with patience and excitement, you’ll be welcomed the same way.”— Arpi, FTLO Budapest/Vienna/Prague
🇳🇱 Amsterdam
“So far, I haven’t experienced any anti-American behavior in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is such an international city, and being a welcoming haven for everybody has been part of our DNA for centuries. We can’t really tell the difference between Americans, Canadians, Australians, etc., so unless you dive deep into politics with the locals, it’s unlikely you’ll experience any backlash.” — Floris, FTLO Amsterdam
🇲🇦 Morocco
“As a guide based in Morocco and actively engaged with American tourists, I have not observed any widespread anti-American sentiment or behavior recently. Morocco continues to be a welcoming and hospitable destination — particularly toward visitors from the United States. Americans are generally well-received, and many locals in the tourism and hospitality sectors value their presence both culturally and economically. Of course, like in any country, isolated incidents may occur based on individual interactions or world events, but these are rare and not indicative of broader societal attitudes. Overall, Morocco remains a friendly destination for American travelers.”— Youssef, FTLO Morocco
🇻🇳 Vietnam
“Vietnam is so open now. We welcome millions of travelers from many countries — especially from the U.S. I mostly work with Americans, and Vietnamese people are very friendly. We don’t have any bad feelings toward Americans. They are treated very well everywhere - so no worries at all!”— Phong, FTLO Vietnam
🇧🇿 Belize
“Tourism and the way Belizeans treat American tourists has been pretty normal here. Our country runs on tourism, and the majority of us have found joy in sharing our jewel — no matter where in the world you're from.”— Erin, FTLO Belize
🇮🇸 Iceland
“Usually, Iceland is very liberal about everything. Icelanders are always respectful, and it doesn’t matter what country you are from — there is no harassment. About 90% of tourists in Iceland are from the USA and I haven’t heard or read anything anti-American on social media, from my colleagues, or in the news.”— Olga, FTLO Iceland
🇿🇦 South Africa
“I haven’t noticed or heard anything. Things feel totally normal here — if anything, locals are more curious and welcoming than ever. American travelers are generally received with warmth and interest. There’s a real appreciation for people coming from far away to experience the culture, nature, and adventure we have to offer. No signs of tension or anti-American sentiment at all — just good vibes and great conversations.”— Sevo, FTLO South Africa
“Any anti-American sentiment or behavior toward American tourists? In short, no. South Africa and the U.S. have a lot in common — for example, in both societies, bad news tends to sell. South Africa is a beautiful and diverse country with 12 official languages and many cultures. We grow up with this and are generally very welcoming and open to others. We have a word, Ubuntu, which translates to ‘humanity towards others.’ It’s connected to the saying, ‘Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu,’ which means, ‘I am because we are.’ Tourism is one of the largest employers in the country, and most people either work in the industry or know someone who does. Visitors are appreciated. We also consume a lot of American culture — music, movies, comedians, social media — so finding common ground is easy. Even if people don’t agree with what’s happening politically in the U.S., they respect individuals and know that those issues don’t define the traveler.”— Machiel, FTLO South Africa
🇧🇷 Brazil
“I’m glad to hear about this blog. I’ve received the same question from many of my American tourists over the last few months. In Brazil, we have always been very friendly to tourists — whether they are Americans or not. We remain very welcoming and celebrate their visit. Brazilians generally don’t have any negative behavior toward any nationality. We haven’t been involved in a conflict for at least over 70 years. We might only make jokes about football with Argentinians or French nationals — because football is our national passion — but that’s it.”— Luana, FTLO Brazil
“In Brazil, we don’t have this feeling against North Americans. We are a very hospitable people and everyone is welcome. However, I always encourage travelers to remain open-minded and respectful of local culture. I usually say something like: ‘Try not to expect things to be just like back home. You may not find black pepper already on the table, ketchup for your fries, or a Starbucks on every corner. That’s simply not part of Brazilian culture. That said, we can always ask the waiter for black pepper or ketchup. But when it comes to Starbucks… well, here we drink real coffee.’ This kind of comment is meant for everyone, not just people from the United States, and it usually gets a laugh. Most people take it well and understand the message. The FTLO crowd is quite open to new experiences — some may be a little naive when it comes to cultural differences, but it’s never a problem.”— Zema, FTLO Brazil
🌴 Bali
“In Indonesia, and Bali especially, there is no sentiment or movement against the U.S. or Americans at all.
We realize that tourism is a major income source for the Balinese, so we welcome whoever visits the island — it doesn’t matter their background or nationality.
There’s a lot of political and economic news about the U.S. and its impact on our country, but it doesn’t really catch the attention of everyday people — only those whose jobs deal with those matters. In summary, I would like to say everything is normal in Bali and Indonesia — you are welcome in our country.”— Susi, FTLO Bali
🇦🇷 Argentina
“Honestly, I haven’t noticed any kind of anti-American sentiment here in Argentina, and I don’t think I ever have. This country is incredibly open and diverse by nature. We’re a society built on immigration, and that multicultural DNA is something we’re proud of. Locals are used to welcoming people from everywhere, and travelers from the U.S. are genuinely appreciated. We actually have a lot in common with the U.S. in terms of culture — both countries are shaped by immigration, have big personalities politically, and value freedom and individuality. Even when there’s noise around American politics, it never really translates into how travelers are treated here. In fact, I’d say the opposite. American travelers tend to be curious, respectful, and eager to explore — and locals love that. The vibe overall is super positive. People are warm, open, and love sharing their culture as always. We love having Americans visit — and honestly, they make great travelers. I think more of them should come!”— Tomas, FTLO Argentina
So… Is There Anti-American Sentiment Abroad in 2025?
Our global team — spanning South America, Africa, Asia, and beyond — reports that American travelers are being welcomed with curiosity, kindness, and hospitality. The occasional online post or isolated incident doesn’t reflect the real global vibe.
If you're considering international travel in 2025 and feeling hesitant, let this reassure you: The world is still wide open. And it wants to meet you.
Travel Tips for Americans Abroad (Just in Case)
While you’re unlikely to face any negative perceptions, a little cultural awareness goes a long way:
Be respectful and open-minded
Try a few words in the local language
Don’t expect things to be “just like home”
Avoid sensitive political debates
Be generous with kindness
Want to Join a Group That Gets It?
At FTLO, we specialize in culturally immersive, fun, and respectful group trips for young professionals. Our travelers come with an open heart and a curious spirit — and that makes all the difference.
Check out our upcoming adventures ➡️ https://www.ftlotravel.com/calendar-2025
Final Word
American travelers are not only welcome — they’re wanted.
Don’t let fear-driven headlines stop you from exploring the world. The best way to change perceptions is to be a good representative of your culture. And from everything our trip leaders are seeing, FTLO travelers are doing just that.
