United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
UK visitor numbers to US fall, fuelling fears ‘brand America’ is in trouble
Visitor numbers to the US were up 4% year on year in April, surprising those who thought tourists would be deterred by President Donald Trump’s attempted travel bans.
However, numbers from the UK are down 6% over the last year and CEO of the US Travel Association Roger Dow has admitted that ‘brand America is in trouble’.
Nevertheless, Dow said he was surprised by the overall rise in visitor numbers in April. Given that visitors to the US usually start planning their trips 57 days in advance, it had been thought that the Trump’s first executive order banning travel from several Muslim countries, which was issued in January, would have had an impact on numbers by April.
Speaking at IPW 2017 in Washington, Dow added: "There have been many claims that the administration’s actions on travel have tarnished America’s brand abroad, but we’re seeing hard economic evidence of the US travel sector’s remarkable resilience."
However, he said the industry could not afford to be complacent, despite the fact that the executive order, and a subsequent travel ban, have been overturned.
"Even though we’re encouraged by these strong figures, we’ll continue to urge the administration to more publicly send the message that while the US is closed to terror, it remains open for business," he added.
"We should not take it for granted that this trend will sustain, and the 15.3 million American jobs that depend on travel are not worth putting at risk. A simple and clear welcome message will go a long way in that regard."
Trump’s first travel ban was overturned by the US courts, which have also put a second ban on hold.
Related News Stories:
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled