US tourism statistics after Trump took over office shows a decline. As compared to last year, more people are traveling internationally but the destinations they travel to have changed. The United States of America is no longer the second most popular tourist destination.
With France in the first place, Spain has replaced the USA. This change in position has been a year in the making and began when President Trump took office. Not only this, the US has also fallen from the 4th spot to the 8th position as the best country in the world.
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US Tourism Statistics – The Trump Slump
The ‘Trump Slump’ as it has come to be known is costing the US billions of dollars. According to the National Travel and Tourism Office, there were only 41 million inbound visitors to the US in 2017. This is a 4% drop as compared to the number of tourists in 2016. A reduced number of tourists has resulted in a 3% drop in travel spending. For the country, this has meant a loss of about 4.6 billion dollars and 40,000 jobs. In the long term, this could have a devastating effect on American restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions.
US Tourism Statistics – Why the Decline
While some blame it on President Trump’s policies others say it has nothing to do with politics. One of the reasons being given is the proposed travel ban on tourists from 6 countries with a Muslim majority. A spate of hate crimes against immigrants has also contributed to the reduced number of tourists. Intensified security measures such as the banning of electronic devices on flights originating from selected airports have also affected international tourism to the US.
Apart from this, the strengthening dollar has also made America an expensive destination. The rise in costs has made people look elsewhere for holiday destinations. One of the less talked about reasons includes the increased number of airline routes that have opened up under the Open Skies treaties. This has given tourists a wider range of places to choose from and made the US look a little less exotic.
Visit US Campaign
Recent US tourism statistics show a decline and the declining in the number of international tourists have been noted with alarm by the US industries and the trade groups. To counter this, the trade groups and industries have come together to launch a ‘Visit US’ campaign. The campaign aims at encouraging Washington to understand the economic impact caused by foreign tourists. It is also being directed to send out a message to the world that the United States welcomes international tourists. Details of the group’s plans are to be announced in the coming weeks.
Also See
- Everything you need to know before applying for US tourist visa
- 158 countries US citizens can travel without a visa
- International Students, Especially from India, Seeking Student Visa to US Decline in 2017
- International Travel – Why American Travelers are a Rarity?
