US travel industry needs wake-up call
Travel industry leaders are supporting an advisory report suggesting ways of putting out the welcome mat for more international visitors, including using travel as a diplomatic effort.
The report issued to the US Secretary of Commerce as a “wake up” call also urged the establishment of an international marketing program.
Said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the Travel Industry Association:
“In implementing the strategies put forth in the report, we will be able to compete for an increased share of the world travel market and unleash the power of travel to help improve America’s image around the world.”
Every one percent of the world travel market share that the US gains leads to an estimated 8.1 million more visitors, he said.
“Policymakers and opinion leaders should understand the benefit of having 8 million people a year visiting our country and returning home to share their experience of America,” said Mr Dow.
Research shows that visitors are 42% more inclined to have favorable opinions of America after a trip here.
The US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board issued the report, titled “Restoring America’s Travel Brand: A National Strategy to Compete for International Visitors.”
The Board urged policymakers to put travel and tourism as a centerpiece of efforts to improve America’s image to the world.
Tourism officials who testified before Congress earlier this summer said international travel worldwide is growing but not in the US.
Global travel is up 52% in the past 15 years, but America’s share of that market has declined by 35 %, according to Jonathan Tisch, chairman of the Travel Business Roundtable.
Report by David Wilkening
David
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 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent