US tourism leaders get face time with President Donald Trump
US travel industry leaders have had their first face-to-face meeting with President Donald Trump, during which they are understood to have raised concerns about falling visitor numbers and the impact of the President’s travel ban.
More than a dozen travel industry CEOs, including Marriott chief Arne Sorenson, Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta, and Wyndham Worldwide CEO Geof Ballotti, met with Trump at the US Travel Association’s first round table discussion since he took office 18 months ago.
"Our discussion with the President was simple: A strong flow of international business and leisure travellers into the US reduces the trade deficit and creates an outsize number of American jobs," said US Travel chief Roger Dow in a statement.
Jonathan Grella, US Travel’s EVP of public affairs said: "There is a global international travel boom, and there is a huge opportunity to greatly expand upon the already strong economy."
"We told them that we need a national strategy to work toward something along the lines of the previous administration’s goal to grow visitor numbers to a certain level by a certain year, but they didn’t commit to anything."
Along with the need to ensure the country offers a welcoming message to international travellers, subjects discussed included the visa waiver programme, Brand USA’s reauthorization, and the need for infrastructure improvements nationwide.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026