Weak dollar fails to entice travellers to US
The US is losing out on tourism and its share of global arrivals has dropped a percentage point despite the weak dollar, according to the UN World Tourism Association.
The UN WTA says that in 2000 the US had a 7% share of the 682 million international arrivals but as arrivals rose to 846 million in 2006, the US saw approximately the same tourists arriving through its ports, meaning a drop in share to 6%.
Industry experts echo what most travellers heading Stateside have been moaning about for some time – that the poor welcome at customs, the heavy security measures and lower fares to other destinations are to blame.
The US Commerce department adds that big earners in the past like Los Angeles, Orlando, Miami, Chicago, Boston and San Francisco saw 20-34% fewer visitors in 2006 compared to 2000. Of the country’s ten most popular cities, only New York saw more visitors in 2006 than 2000 with a 9% increase.
President of the US’ Travel Industry Association said: “The perception is that we’re less welcoming than other countries.â€
By Dinah Hatch
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.
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