Unwelcoming US sees sharp drop in tourism numbers

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'Unwelcoming' US sees sharp fall in visitors since 9/11


The number of foreign visitors to the United States has plummeted since the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington because foreigners don't feel welcome, tourism professionals said Thursday.

"Since September 11, 2001, the United States has experienced a 17 percent decline in overseas travel, costing America 94 billion dollars in lost visitor spending, nearly 200,000 jobs and 16 billion dollars in lost tax revenue," the Discover America advocacy campaign said in a statement.


Chairman Stevan Porter lamented the "extraordinary decline" in the number of [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]overseas visitors[/FONT] to the United States, while the advocacy group's executive director, Geoff [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]F[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]reeman[/FONT], blamed the slump on the shabby welcome many foreigners feel they get in the United States.


"It's clear what's keeping people away in the post-9/11 environment: it is the perception around the world that travelers aren't welcome," Freeman told AFP.


"Travelers around the world feel the US entry experience is among the world's worst," Freeman said, calling on the US government to work with the private sector to make visa acquisition more efficient, the entry process traveler-friendly, and to improve communication.


"We have put in place many reasonable security barriers but we have not communicated these barriers and we have not told travelers that we want their business," he said.


"Six years after 9/11, we need to take this more seriously," Freeman said.


"The United States has to do what every other nation in the world does, and that is to promote itself to visitors," he said.


"If you look at visitor numbers from the UK before 9/11, we had 4.8 million visitors. Last year, the number was 4.1 million.


"Looking to 2010, the [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Department of Commerce[/FONT] is projecting an increase in those numbers, but only of one percent over the course of 10 years.


"If I ran a business that had one percent growth in 10 years, I'd be fired," Freeman said.

 

[winetraveller]

I spend a huge amount of time going in and out of the US and in general I agree that US Immigration can be overbearing.

I also think that at the moment there may be a resurgence in numbers coming to the US. I was in New York last weekend and the amount of European tourists on the streets was amazing, taking advantage of the strength of the Euro and relative weakness of the USD. This is reflected in the cost of decent hotel rooms. This time last year a good hotel room in a four or five star hotel was around $400, this has risen to $550 to $700, which given the shift in the currency in not so much for us or Europeans, but a lot for Americans.

Many American friends who normally visit Europe every year are dreading going due to the change in the exchange rate.

I think that US Immigration policy may soften slightly when they feel the need for people to be buying dollars more.

 

[simongr]

I dont have a problem with the general principal of the US immigration process - just the speed at which it is undertaken. The fall in the value of the US$ will make my trip theer next July (if it stays at this leevl) positively cheap - thankfully I dont have to pay for the Hotel room).

I too have seen the room rates leap massively in NYC - so somebody is travelling there...

 

[drron]

The election campaign is in full swing in LOFTAP and this may just be part of that.Certainly NYC is not experiencing a downturn in tourist numbers and I agree with simon and winetraveller about the price of rooms there.

 

[winetraveller]

The MD of our company is coming in NYC in two weeks, and I've booked him into what I think is a moderately priced Marriott. He tends to be pretty good when it comes to my expenses, but maybe he'll be more understanding when he sees what $500 gets you.

 

[Maca44]

If you look at the USA as the human body then LAX is certainly the rectum. For those who have not done thus far, try routing through SFO and you will notice a big difference. The customs and Immigration officers seem to be nicer, and it appears to be quicker getting through. Maybe this has to do with LAX having more international flights than SFO or maybe its just that SFO officers have a better people skills.

 

[winetraveller]

If you look at the USA as the human body then LAX is certainly the rectum. For those who have not done thus far, try routing through SFO and you will notice a big difference. The customs and Immigration officers seem to be nicer, and it appears to be quicker getting through. Maybe this has to do with LAX having more international flights than SFO or maybe its just that SFO officers have a better people skills.

I agee 100%, no more LAX for me I can tell you. I head back home in early December via Europe and back in the Boston in mid Jan, and have already booked my flight back via SFO. Much more civil.

 

[codash1099]

If you look at the USA as the human body then LAX is certainly the rectum.

And we're all treated as if we're just passing through :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

 

[SeatBackForward]

I'm going to the USA in December, never really ever wanted to go, and still don't to be honest, but I am traveling in Canada and will pop over the border to visit relatives (since I'll be so close by). The strength of the AUD$ helped also...

Mind you if I'll be eager to let the authorities know that I have no intention of staying in the US any longer than I need to be, so i don't really care how un-welcoming they might be.

It doesn't matter anyway, in another decade or so, the USA will be a backpackers destination much like SE Asia is now.

 

[winetraveller]

It doesn't matter anyway, in another decade or so, the USA will be a backpackers destination much like SE Asia is now.

Yes but the locals won't be a friendly and the weather won't be as good.

 

[Maca44]

I'm going to the USA in December, never really ever wanted to go, and still don't to be honest, but I am traveling in Canada and will pop over the border to visit relatives (since I'll be so close by). The strength of the AUD$ helped also...

Mind you if I'll be eager to let the authorities know that I have no intention of staying in the US any longer than I need to be, so i don't really care how un-welcoming they might be.

It doesn't matter anyway, in another decade or so, the USA will be a backpackers destination much like SE Asia is now.

You might be surprised when you get there as my only problem with Americans is the customs and immigration at LAX. I travel to the USA and Canada (Vancouver) frequently and the people, especially those in country areas of USA are very nice people.

Also, depending on what part of Canada you are going, but if Vancouver, instead of crossing at the Peace Arch which is the main crossing point and can sometimes take more than 45 mins to cross due to traffic etc, you might consider driving east along Canada 1 highway from Vancouver about 30mins, turn right into 264th Street (Aldergrove Bellingham Road) as the border crossing there invariably only has three or four vehicles before me when I cross. You then continue down 264th, which changes at the border to Guide Meridian Road (539th) to Bellingham, Seattle etc. Saves a lot of time.

 

[NM]

And we're all treated as if we're just passing through :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

Now that was just toooooooo much information :shock:

 

[straitman]

Now that was just toooooooo much information :shock:

Depends how you look at it really. :mrgreen:

 

[Hvr]

If you look at the USA as the human body then LAX is certainly the rectum.

Now that may just explain the paperwork you have to do.

 

[IainF]

My real problem with the LOTFAP is the way I am treated when I arrive.. Not like a guest, but like a potential criminal. The accusations made to me on my last entry (YYZ-LAX) after I could not produce a paper ticket (Lone4 e-tix) were just silly, considering I had made several border crossings by car previously.
I ended up opening up my laptop and showing the eticket from my Outlook. The boarding passes I help (YYZ-LAX-HNL-SYD) were not enough for the immagration dude and he was only barely satisfied with the e tix option.
Next time I will remember to carry a print out of the itin.

I probably most resent being fingerprinted and photographed.
What is obviously happening in several countries is a tit for tat response. I believe Japan is latest to require this.

The only joy I have is that 7 years ago when I went to the LOTFAP, the aus peso was on worth 50c.... Now it is all the jeans a man can buy and the waitress at those places named after the noise an owl makes, will finally recieve a tip !!!!

 

[drron]

I'm going to the USA in December, never really ever wanted to go, and still don't to be honest, but I am traveling in Canada and will pop over the border to visit relatives (since I'll be so close by). The strength of the AUD$ helped also...

Mind you if I'll be eager to let the authorities know that I have no intention of staying in the US any longer than I need to be, so i don't really care how un-welcoming they might be.

It doesn't matter anyway, in another decade or so, the USA will be a backpackers destination much like SE Asia is now.

Well in 1979 I first visited the USA.I did not want to go.I hated the idea of American culture,tipping,arrogance,rampant commercialism and cities like Las Vegas that are absolutely artificial.I found all of the negatives and fell in love with the place.There they are all in context.We have since been back many times.We have visited and slept in all 50 states plus DC.Our son finished his education there and now lives in Manhattan.
As has been said you should always try and get out of the cities.My experience is that in country ares they are amongst the most friendly people you can meet.
I must be very unusual as I have not had a bad experience with US immigration-though only 3 times through LAX.However entered by LAX in September and once again a pleasant and easy time through Immigration.Possibly because in answer to the invariable first question-why are you here the answer is -to visit our son who lives in New York.They are onside immediately.My problem with LAX is that you arrive from australia in the early morning and have to go through the formalities there ev en if travelling on.On the way home it is the abysmal facilities.So my travel is usually via NRT so I can get to the East coast directly and arrive late afternoon and get a good sleep soon after.

 

[Harriet Vane]

As someone who'll be dealing with LAX in a month's time, I'm going to cover my ears and eyes and continue in my delusion that the staff will be friendly and efficient and understand that just because I am married to a Yank doesn't mean I want to stay for anything more than a month-long Christmas vacation.

 

[mainly tailfirst]

If you look at the USA as the human body then LAX is certainly the rectum.

I want to put this quote on a T-Shirt and wear it with pride. That is a ripper!

mt

 

[pauly7]

As someone who'll be dealing with LAX in a month's time, I'm going to cover my ears and eyes and continue in my delusion that the staff will be friendly and efficient.

Gosh don't do that they'll think you are trying to aviod surveillance and probably arrest you!

 

[Harriet Vane]

Gosh don't do that they'll think you are trying to aviod surveillance and probably arrest you!

Hee! Cover my eyes when reading this thread, then. At the airport, I promise not to attempt to disguise myself.