The CEO of the world’s largest hotel operator says the Trump Administration’s immigration policies are damaging US tourism.
Chief executive of Marriott Arne Sorenson says there are signs a Trump Slump is impacting the industry and Marriott business.
"Companies and conferences were also choosing to host events in other countries due to the uncertainty over restrictions on entry," Sorenson told the Financial Times.
"The administration’s actions around travel are not helpful," Sorenson said. "There’s no doubt about that. There’s no way to anticipate that they will be good news."
Trump’s order to ban travelers from Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Syria and Libya has hit Marriott’s luxury brands St. Regis and the Ritz-Carlton hardest.
Although nationals of these countries represent less than 1% of Marriott bookings, they are big spenders.
"We are clearly monitoring this carefully," said Marriott spokeswoman Connie Kim.
