Image of US 'in crisis' - tourism chief warns

The image of the US overseas is "in crisis" against the background of the Iraq conflict and war against terrorism, a tourism industry leader has warned.

Travel Industry Association of America president and CEO Roger Dow, responding to a detailed survey about attitudes to the US, said: "Our nation is increasingly viewed with distrust. The implications - economic and diplomatic - are considerable."

Noting that the US share of the expanding global travel market has declined by more than 36% in 15 years, he called on policymakers to "embrace travel and tourism" and recognise its potential to boost the country"s image worldwide.

Dow said: "There are major issues impacting our global standing, such as the ongoing fight against terrorism and conflict in Iraq. But solutions do not need to be limited to these areas. In fact, we need to find a different way to present ourselves to the world - one that goes beyond the headlines of the day."

He added: "Travel and tourism presents a unique opportunity to empower the American people to do what they do best - represent America. The more international travellers that come to the US, the more ambassadors we create for our country. Studies consistently show that people from other countries who visit the US leave with a significantly higher opinion of our nation and our people than those who have never been here."

Dow was responding to a Pew Global Attitudes Study - a series of worldwide public opinion surveys involving 17,000 people from 15 countries - which found that favourable opinions about America had fallen in most of the nations polled. In the UK, this has dropped from 83% in 1999-2000 to just 56% this year.

The survey said: "A year ago, anti-Americanism had shown some signs of abating, in part because of the positive feelings generated by US aid for tsunami victims in Indonesia and elsewhere. But favourable opinions of the United States have fallen."

It adds: "In great Britain, America"s most important ally in Iraq, 60% say the war has made the world more dangerous, while just half that number (30%) feel it has made the world safer. Moreover, even as concerns about Iran have increased, somewhat more Britons believe that the US military presence in Iraq represents a great danger to stability in the Middle East and world peace than say that the current government in Iran (by 41%-34%)."

Report by Phil Davies

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

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Transitions

Recommended reading - Transitions abroad at 30, an essay from a US travel magazine publisher that also takes note of changing trends toward US citizens http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0607/transitions_abroad_at_30.shtml

By Ron Mader, Tuesday, August 8, 2006
pointless waste of time

More seriously I went there doing a blog laptop digi camera et-al. It didn't stop them taking me to one side and searching me and turning over my stuff. They claimed it was because I didn't have a Mexican 'exit' stamp but I had onward flights so I saw this is a bit of an excuse. I didn't enjoy the experience and nor did they in the end.

By Michael Tyler, Wednesday, June 21, 2006
i agree

I went to America and I thought it was a lovely country but there was too much terrorism....

By amy theuma, Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Customs & Immigration checks

Mr Dow should try posing as a tourist and trying to get into his own country. Once he suffers at the hands of his own paranoid Customs and Immigration Rotweilers he'll discover another reason why people are avoiding travel to the States.

By Claire Bowen, Monday, June 19, 2006
le-tour: usa style

I went to the US. On the Washington tour bus they told me they built roundabouts to confuse an invading enemy, not an idea stolen from Europe obviously. And dollar bills were 30% cotton. This I just don't believe. If you can't trust the tour bus operators, what future does this country have?

By Michael Tyler, Thursday, June 15, 2006
Another example of failed tourism promotion.

This is yet another example of failed promotion and poor leadership from TIA and the key players. The recent WTTC junket in Washington failed to address the real issues, and merely provided a high visibility platform for the ultra-right wing politicians the world recognizes. The US has huge tourism promise, but new leadership and a new image are urgently needed. Maybe TIA could close down the Washington Office, now they have pulled out of London! Or are they just there to lobby for big business such as Amex??

By Alan Simpson, Thursday, June 15, 2006