WTM survey supports fears of a Trump slump

A survey of key industry travel executives found 40% do not think the US is good place to do business with for as long as Trump is president.

When presented with the statement ‘With Donald Trump as president, America is a country to do business with’ 19% said they strongly disagreed and 21% disagreed slightly.

Only 15% agreed with the statement, with 44% neither agreeing or disagreeing.

The survey findings are part of the World Travel Market London 2017 Industry Report being released as the travel trade show starts in London this week – a year since Trump was elected.

The report reveals that 16% of travel industry executives said the Trump election has had the biggest impact on their organisation in the past year, with 16% adapting their marketing strategy as a result of the US presidential election.

Meanwhile, a survey of 1,000 British holidaymakers found 27% said they were less likely to visit the US in the future because of Trump’s presidency.

Two-thirds (67%) say it makes no difference to their decision and 6% of holidaymakers said they would be more likely to visit the US now Trump is in power.

WTM London’s Paul Nelson said: "Since the announcement a year ago, on the last day of WTM London 2016, that Donald Trump had been voted in as the next US president, there has been concern and speculation about what effect a Trump presidency would have on tourism.

"Many of his policies, tweets and executive orders have proved controversial and have impacted on travel and tourism and there is now clear evidence that some people are being put off visiting the US and some of travel’s top executives are concerned about the Trump effect on their businesses.

"As our exclusive research reveals, one in four holidaymakers have been put off visiting the US because of Trump, while 40% of travel executives do not agree the US is a good place to do business with him as president.

"The US is one of the world’s key destinations and has long been popular among Brits. It is important that America gets the message out that not only is it still open for visitors but that it continues to be a warm, welcoming and great-value destination."

More insight into the Trump Slump’ will be revealed on Tuesday in the Top 100 City Destination Ranking WTM London Edition, by Euromonitor International.

The report highlights how performance of major tourist cities in the US is expected to fall behind cities in Canada and Latin America this year.