United States travel bosses have warned that the country is losing billions of dollars in tourist revenue because of a “tarnished image overseas”.
According to the Financial Times, Roger Dow, chief executive of the Travel Industry Association of America, warned that the trend could also spell danger for American industry in general.
He is quoted as saying: “It is an economic imperative to address these problems. If we don’t address these issues in tourism, the long-term impact for American brands – Coca-Cola, General Motors, McDonald’s – could be very damaging.”
While the number of visitors to the United States rose 12 per cent last year, the counry’s share of foreign visitors is still down a massive 38 per cent on 1992.
Dow reportedly added: “Our piece of the pie has shrunk by five million visitors.”
He went on to describe how anti-American feelings have led to suggestions that the country is “inhospitable” for tourists: “There is a perception of Fortress America that is much worse than in really is.”
Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd www.newsfromabroad.com
