America's war on tourist

[cartaverde 12]

America is rated the world's most unfriendly destination for foreign travellers in a recent global poll

http://www.boingboing.net/2007/05/01/us_wa...terror_is_.html

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story....jectid=10436518

America is rated the world's most unfriendly destination for foreign travellers in a recent global poll. The War on Terror (which includes a $15 billion fingerprinting program that humiliates every visitor to America's shores and has yet to catch a single terrorist) has destroyed America's tourist industry, killing $94 billion worth of tourist trade, and 194,000 American jobs.

In a recent poll of international travellers, commissioned by Discover America Partnership, a coalition of US tourist organisations, 70 per cent of respondents said they feared US officials more than terrorists or criminals. Another 66 per cent worried they would be detained for some minor blunder, such as wrongly filling out an official form or being mistaken for a terrorist, while 55 per cent say officials are "rude."...

Such comments, and the poll results - which rate the US by a 2:1 margin as the world's "most unfriendly" destination for foreign travellers - are found in "A Blueprint to Discover America," unveiled in January by Discover America Partnership to halt a dramatic decline in foreign visitors.

According to the blueprint overseas travel to the US has slumped 17 per cent since 2001, even as world travel to other countries reaches historic growth levels. The decline has cost US$94 billion ($127 billion) in visitor spending, US$16 billion in tax receipts, and some 194,000 American jobs. Many poll respondents said that visiting the US had become a hassle and that they would take their holiday money elsewhere.

... sigh.

[Heracles 417]

I wonder which part of America they are talking about..

A few of my friends who visited not too long ago where saying how they could not stand LA, as people are generally rude there. Ironically they found people in the south to be quite friendly.

[pedroh 21]

I wonder which part of America they are talking about..

A few of my friends who visited not too long ago where saying how they could not stand LA, as people are generally rude there. Ironically they found people in the south to be quite friendly.

well the south and the southwest are 2 different places.. but yeah.. I guess people are talkin more about the immigration hassle that is in each airport when they have to fingerprint you, ask stupid questions 'what are you doing here' (amhh.. lol?), etc etc.. plus each year more and more countries are being required to have a US tourist visa, and of course, that ain't cheap..

"Interestingly, the poll suggested US foreign policy was not "a significant factor" in global dissatisfaction with the US, but that US entry policies were. It is slowly dawning in Washington that, unless visitors are treated better upon arrival, the US will continue to lose hearts and minds."

Edited May 1, 2007 by pedroh

[JohnK 0]

which includes a $15 billion fingerprinting program that humiliates every visitor to America's shores

Well whaaa whaaa whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.....

And saying it hasn't caught any terrorists yet? So what? I bet knowing they will be fingerprinted helps keep them out.

[Emancipation 2]

Speaking from a personal perspective.. my friends/family won't visit the US right now because of the following:

1. Political Agenda/ Governmental Decisions

2. Fear of Harassment from the Officers at the Boarder

3. Strength of US currency

4. The "lure" of Europe

A note on the article though.. How could they say emphatically...

"The War on Terror (which includes a $15 billion fingerprinting program that humiliates every visitor to America's shores and has yet to catch a single terrorist)"

Doesn't seem to be much "proof" of this statement, and logic would tell me they have to have caught SOMEONE in it all!

[*JG* 2]

The only other country I have visited, thus far, has been Jamaica. I wasn't overly fond of the whole immigration process there either. I've been questioned about my motives and where I was staying, had my luggage gone through with a fine tooth comb, and been treated very rudely at the airport.

Andre's trip into the US went much more smoothly then any trip I ever made to Jamaica.

[Heracles 417]

well the south and the southwest are 2 different places.. but yeah.. I guess people are talkin more about the immigration hassle that is in each airport when they have to fingerprint you, ask stupid questions 'what are you doing here' (amhh.. lol?), etc etc.. plus each year more and more countries are being required to have a US tourist visa, and of course, that ain't cheap..

"Interestingly, the poll suggested US foreign policy was not "a significant factor" in global dissatisfaction with the US, but that US entry policies were. It is slowly dawning in Washington that, unless visitors are treated better upon arrival, the US will continue to lose hearts and minds."

I do not even know why they waste their time with that ####### when common sense suggests that a terrorist or criminal will simply walk across the southern border. There not going to risk being identified at an airport.

You should try traveling to Australia. Even Australian citizens returning are grilled at immigration. All of our bags and luggage are also x-rayed upon re-entry. Any food must be discarded etc.. It is actually a real hassle.. Whereas being fingerprinted and photographed takes 10 seconds.

[Niels Bohr 72]

I agree with some of the item mentioned. One, I do fear the OFFICIALS (Customs, National Guard at Airports with their 4 feet long guns strapped around their body) more so than the terrorists.

[pedroh 21]

actually i'm more afraid of a crazy american inside the airplane.. with all the brainwash they got, is like 'omg he/she ain't speaking english.. terrorist!!!'..

[Ban Hammer 13,333]

I agree with some of the item mentioned. One, I do fear the OFFICIALS (Customs, National Guard at Airports with their 4 feet long guns strapped around their body) more so than the terrorists.

just don't look like a kent state college student and you'll be fine

[almaty 19]

the people hardest hit by this are the toruist based industries which means jobs to allot of americans.. John K...

[Alex+R 0]

I wonder which part of America they are talking about..

A few of my friends who visited not too long ago where saying how they could not stand LA, as people are generally rude there. Ironically they found people in the south to be quite friendly.

Not sure what you mean by "ironically." The stereotype about the South is that it is the most friendly place in the whole country. Hence "Southern hospitality." So far I have actually found that to be true in my experiences.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

my husband was fingerprinted and iris scanned several times during the process for getting this visa and green card.

of course, the process to make sure he wasn't an unsavoury type took 7 months to clear for AOS alone. (He was first fingerprinted at his embassy interview 9 months prior to FBI clearance, and had been fingerprinted at POE when visiting the US after the K-1 had been filed and a full 15 months prior to FBI clearance.)

I really don't think the fingerprinting people at POE does much to keep the terrorists out.

[JohnK 0]

the people hardest hit by this are the toruist based industries which means jobs to allot of americans.. John K...

Sorry, but I refuse to sacrifice security so that the tourism industry can employ more people.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I think national security is probably compromised more by a clunky and inept Department of Homeland Security.