The so-called ‘Trump Slump’ of fewer inbound tourists could cost the US economy as much as $10.8 billion.
That is the stark message for the Administration from research firm Tourism Economics which estimates current Trump policy on immigration could result in a drop of 6.3 million annual visitors.
That works out at a 8.2% decrease based on 2016 inbound tourism data.
Many destination marketing organizations are rethinking their current strategy and targets.
New York City tourism marketing agency NYC & Company this week said it expects to draw 300,000 fewer foreigners than in 2016, which would be the first decrease in tourism numbers from overseas in seven years.
"The Europeans start coming to New York around Easter and continue through summer. That’s when you’ll see the rhetoric out of Washington really having an impact on travel," said NYC & Company CEO Fred Dixon.
"The data are all showing a pretty dramatic shift in behavior and interest," he said. "That certainly accelerated since the executive order," Adam Sacks, Tourism Economics president said.
