International tourism is up around the world, just not in the United States. According to the National Travel and Tourism Office international visitor numbers fell 4 percent to 41 million visitors over the past year. Travel spending is also down 3.3 percent and $4.6 billion.
In response to the drop, tourism and retail industry leaders, including Marriott International and Macy’s, launched a Visit U.S. Coalition, currently seeking backing by the Trump administration.
Katherine Lugar, president and CEO, American Hotel & Lodging Association, a coalition member, told CNBC, “Fewer visitors means fewer hotel stays, fewer meals eaten in our restaurants, fewer goods purchased in our retail stores, and fewer visits to our national attractions. It also means fewer American jobs and a loss to our economy.”
While the United States experienced tourism downturns in the past, this is the first to occur at a time of economic growth. Previous slumps occurred in the wake of financial crises.
As the United States watches numbers decline, European tourist arrivals surge 8 percent to 671 million, and every other continent posted an increase in international arrivals in 2017, according to the World Tourism Organization. Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia logged double-digit increases 2015–2017.
While there’s speculation the decreases are a ripple effect from President Trump’s travel bans, the proposed wall along the Mexican border and anti-immigrant statements, it’s too soon to say with certainty.
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