Discerning Brits are avoiding US due to Trump, says operator
Holidaymakers are taking a political decision to avoid the US since President Trump took office, according to one operator, which has taken just one booking for 2018.
Responsibletravel.com director Tim Williamson said Donald Trump had had a ‘hugely’ negative effect on business to the US.
Talking at a Speakeasy organised by UK advertising agency Designate, Williamson said that responsibletravel.com would have expected US bookings for 2018 to be in double figures by now; instead, it has taken just one.
"And that was for Alaska," said Williamson, "which is a bit of a different market." Many responsibletravel.com customers are opting to visit Canada instead, he said.
A recent survey estimated that the UK market to the US was down 9% this year, but Williamson said the damage caused by Trump was far worse.
"2017 has been distorted by a total eclipse on August 21, which accounts for 70% of our bookings and these people will have booked before Trump was elected," he added.
Williamson said most of those attending this week’s Speakeasy were ‘in denial’ about the ‘Trump effect’. "Many people have blamed the drop on the weak pound or the strong dollar, but Travelopia said 10% of its US customers were not re-booking for political reasons.
"Obviously Trump is not the only factor, but he is having a huge impact."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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