UK visitor numbers to US fall, fuelling fears ‘brand America’ is in trouble
Visitor numbers to the US were up 4% year on year in April, surprising those who thought tourists would be deterred by President Donald Trump’s attempted travel bans.
However, numbers from the UK are down 6% over the last year and CEO of the US Travel Association Roger Dow has admitted that ‘brand America is in trouble’.
Nevertheless, Dow said he was surprised by the overall rise in visitor numbers in April. Given that visitors to the US usually start planning their trips 57 days in advance, it had been thought that the Trump’s first executive order banning travel from several Muslim countries, which was issued in January, would have had an impact on numbers by April.
Speaking at IPW 2017 in Washington, Dow added: "There have been many claims that the administration’s actions on travel have tarnished America’s brand abroad, but we’re seeing hard economic evidence of the US travel sector’s remarkable resilience."
However, he said the industry could not afford to be complacent, despite the fact that the executive order, and a subsequent travel ban, have been overturned.
"Even though we’re encouraged by these strong figures, we’ll continue to urge the administration to more publicly send the message that while the US is closed to terror, it remains open for business," he added.
"We should not take it for granted that this trend will sustain, and the 15.3 million American jobs that depend on travel are not worth putting at risk. A simple and clear welcome message will go a long way in that regard."
Trump’s first travel ban was overturned by the US courts, which have also put a second ban on hold.
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
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 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps