The uncertainty of their welcome and the spotty reputation of US tourism to foreigners almost certainly played a part in the lost Chicago bid to host the 2016 Olympics, authorities say.
Syed Shahid Ali, an I.O.C. member from Pakistan, in the question-and-answer session following Chicago’s official presentation, pointed out that entering the United States can be “a rather harrowing experience.”
President Obama, who was there as part of the 10-person team, assured Ali that all visitors would be made to feel welcome. “One of the legacies I want to see is a reminder that America at its best is open to the world,” he said.”
But the games went to Rio de Janeiro.
The US Travel Association attributed part of that reason to the lack of a welcome mat for foreigners. Said Roger Dow, US Travel President:
“When IOC members are commenting to our President that foreign visitors find traveling to the United States a ‘pretty harrowing experience,’ we need to take seriously the challenge of reforming our entry process to ensure there is a welcome mat to our friends around the world, even as we ensure a secure system.”
International travel to the US declined by 10 percent in the first quarter of 2009, according to the US Department of Commerce.
To lure visitors back, US Travel has been pushing the Travel Promotion Act, which recently was passed in the Senate and is awaiting action in the House, to create a campaign to strengthen the image of the United States abroad.
By David Wilkening
