Cheapflights puts price on ‘Trump slump’
A poll of Brits by Cheapflights.co.uk has revealed that almost a third have been put off holidaying in the US because of President Trump’s controversial actions since taking office.
If all of them chose to take their travels somewhere else next year, the estimated cost to the US economy would exceed $1.5 billion, the global flight and travel deals platform has calculated.
This apparent ‘Trump slump’ is reflected in searches for flights to the US from the UK, which have fallen by 13% in the period since Trump entered the Oval Office and are currently 10% behind where they were this time last year.
On the flip-side, alternative destinations are basking in a ‘Trump jump’, with demand to Mexico up 22%, Caribbean up 12%, Canada up 6% and Thailand 27%.
Cheapflights MD Andrew Shelton said: "A month into the new presidency and fears of the so-called ‘Trump slump’ seem to taking substance.
"Our poll asked directly if people were more or less likely to travel to the US since Trump took the oath of office.
"Their responses show that a significant number of Brits have been spooked by what they see happening over the pond, and are beginning to vote with their clicks as they explore alternative options for travel in 2017.
"At the height of the travel ban furore earlier this month, searches dropped almost 20% week on week – against an overall increase of demand to our sites and apps of 19% compared to this time last year.
"With UK travellers contributing nearly $5 billion a year to the US economy, tourism chiefs in the country should take note of what could be a substantial reduction in support for a major industry there."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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