Tourism to U.S. under Trump is down, costing $4.6B and 40,000 jobs

[Amica Nostra 4,803]

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/travel/tourism-u-s-down-trump-took-office-costing-4-6-n840326

 

Travel to the U.S. has been on the decline ever since President Donald Trump took office, and new data shows the slump translates to a cost of $4.6 billion in lost spending and 40,000 jobs.

The latest data from the National Travel and Tourism Office shows a 3.3 percent drop in travel spending and a 4 percent decline in inbound travel.

 

 

The downturn has also caused America to lose its spot as the world's second-most popular destination for foreign travel, ceding to Spain.

International tourism to the U.S. began to wane after Trump took office, leading to a so-called Trump slump. Experts say that Trump's proposed travel bans and anti-immigration language have had a negative impact on the U.S.'s attraction for foreign visitors, in addition to a weaker dollar and heightened security measures.

“It’s not a reach to say the rhetoric and policies of this administration are affecting sentiment around the world, creating antipathy toward the U.S. and affecting travel behavior,” Adam Sacks, the president of Tourism Economics, told The New York Times.

The U.S. Travel Association plans to launch a “Visit U.S.” lobbying campaign to encourage Washington to embrace the vital economic impact of foreign tourists, reports The Los Angeles Times

Edited January 24, 2018 by TBoneTX
language in article subheading

[charmander 692]

While since Trump people are more scared to apply for tourist visas, travel ban effects, etc, USD has been very strong for the last couple of years. I remember in 2014 eur/usd exchange rate was around 1.35, last year it was down to a historic low 1.04s range. Therefore, it was cheaper for Americans to travel to Europe than the other way around. Dollar has finally weakened to 1.2s range. If the trend continues, US should see more international tourists this year but certainly the mouth fights with the leaders of the western world is not going to help.

[bcking 3,157]

I know for my wife's friends the biggest issue is just the strength of currency. Their pound doesn't go nearly as far now as it used to, so travelling here from the UK isn't as appealing. 

 

Since we live in Texas they also aren't all that keen on coming here specifically. They all have the same concerns my wife had when she moved here (mostly about guns and violence).

[Dashinka 24,786]

12 hours ago, bcking said:

I know for my wife's friends the biggest issue is just the strength of currency. Their pound doesn't go nearly as far now as it used to, so travelling here from the UK isn't as appealing. 

 

Since we live in Texas they also aren't all that keen on coming here specifically. They all have the same concerns my wife had when she moved here (mostly about guns and violence).

Interesting, I know a lot of people that think similarly about Europe with respect to terrorism.

[Keith & Arileidi 437]

It's only going to get worse. 

I know in Michigan we are scrambling to come up with environmental funds that Trump's EPA will/has cut. Almost all our tourism is based on our huge coastline. 

[bcking 3,157]

2 hours ago, Bill & Katya said:

Interesting, I know a lot of people that think similarly about Europe with respect to terrorism.

I'm sure. My mother talks like that sometimes. My sister lives in Germany and when my parents visit her my mom brings it up.

 

I'm not saying the concern about Texas is really that valid. Even my wife feels far better now than she did in April when she first arrived.

 

Though she still won't ever let me honk at someone. She'll always say "what if they have a gun? Don't make them angry!".

[bcking 3,157]

Though to be clear...I don't judge people for worrying about gun deaths in the USA.

 

Texas' 2016 rate was 11.6 per 100,000, or 3,353 total in a population of 28 million.

 

Germany's terrorism statistics are 27 deaths, 117 injuries in 2016. In a population of 80+ million.

 

On paper - One is far more common than the other.

Edited January 26, 2018 by bcking

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

1 hour ago, bcking said:

Though to be clear...I don't judge people for worrying about gun deaths in the USA.

 

Texas' 2016 rate was 11.6 per 100,000, or 3,353 total in a population of 28 million.

 

Germany's terrorism statistics are 27 deaths, 117 injuries in 2016. In a population of 80+ million.

 

On paper - One is far more common than the other.

Tell them to relax, Texas isn't even in the top 20...

 

https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/death-by-gun-top-20-states-with-highest-rates/

 

On top of that, TX gun suicides normally run 1900 or more per year.  So unless they visit you, ask to borrow your gun, and have intent to harm themselves, they are very likely going to be fine.  Just sayin'.

[bcking 3,157]

6 minutes ago, IDWAF said:

Tell them to relax, Texas isn't even in the top 20...

 

https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/death-by-gun-top-20-states-with-highest-rates/

 

On top of that, TX gun suicides normally run 1900 or more per year.  So unless they visit you, ask to borrow your gun, and have intent to harm themselves, they are very likely going to be fine.  Just sayin'.

I do actually.

 

That's why I said on paper. I don't blame them for comparing stats and being worried...but stats don't always capture the reality.

 

I also don't have a gun for them to borrow, so that scenario is ruled out

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

36 minutes ago, bcking said:

I do actually.

 

That's why I said on paper. I don't blame them for comparing stats and being worried...but stats don't always capture the reality.

 

I also don't have a gun for them to borrow, so that scenario is ruled out

Stick around, we'll get you fixed.