Shock Trump victory set to deter UK visitors, says poll
Visit USA stand at WTM at 11am on Wednesday morning
US tourism is set to see a drop-off in UK visitors following the shock election result today, says a survey.
A Travelzoo poll undertaken before Donald Trump’s victory found 31% of Brits said they would reconsider travel to the US following a Trump win, while 20% said they would definitely not go on holiday there.
Travelzoo is predicting an unstable 2017 for US tourism, and a boost for Canadian tourism.
It is also concerned about the impact on incoming tourism from the US.
"In terms of direct impact for British holidaymakers, most market commentators have been predicting a slump in the dollar – and even before Trump’s victory was confirmed, the value of the dollar was in free-fall across the global market," said Joel Brandon-Bravo, Travelzoo’s UK managing director.
"We see this as a double edged sword for the UK economy; while on the one hand a continued slump may negate the impact of the pounds devaluation post Brexit, it may also deter US travellers from visiting the UK, something the industry here will need to address."
One agent on the Facebook travel industry page Travel Gossip said clients have already told her they will be boycotting the US.
"I have at least two clients so far that won’t go to America now he’s in. The positive for us is that it will make the Caribbean and anywhere else based on the dollar better value for a while but God help America, they will need it," she said.
Andrew Shelton, managing director of global flight search and travel deals website Cheapflights.co.uk, said it was too early to say what the long term effect on travel to the US will be.
"Since campaigning started in earnest, we’ve seen a steady decline in preference for it as a destination, which reached 52% in the final week, compared to earlier this year.
"We know that the USA is perennially the most popular long haul destination for British holidaymakers, with New York being the most searched-for city in the world, but the reality of a Trump White House may drive further uncertainty. It could mean Brits delay booking their stateside holidays until the dust settles or even consider switching to an alternative destination, such as Canada.
"Overnight, searches for one-way flights from the US to Canada increased by 133% compared to a month ago.
"Last year, the UK welcomed US tourists who spent £3 billion and whilst we’re confident that Brits will continue to want to visit the USA, what the ‘Trump Effect’ could mean for American tourists – faced with potential currency uncertainty and increased border controls at home – remains to be seen."
Meanwhile, the latest poll by TravelMole also shows concern among UK travel trade professionals.
The poll asked: Do you think a Trump presidential victory would be bad for the travel industry?
It found 58% agreed it would be bad, but the figure was lower among US travel trade professionals at 52%.
No sign of celebrations at the Trump Hotels WTM stand
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive