Why don't foreign tourists want to visit the US as much anymore?

Question

There has been a 20% increase in foreign travel worldwide, but a 17% drop in foreigners tourists coming to the US.

International travelers contributes more to the US economy than domestic tourists but foreigners don't come here as much anymore.

One reason is a world wide decline in the image of the US, not because of Americans, but because of the Bush Administration and their foreign policies.

Bush's policy in the Middle East is receiving incredible opposition but foreigners.

Once foreign tourists arrive here their perception is better.

The goal of the travel industry is to try to attract 10 million tourists into the US in the next year.

What is the best way to improve the US tourism image?

This data is from the national tourist industry and is cited everywhere. It is not specific to one city. The data says tourism has dropped in NYC and Los Angeles to the point that Los Angeles has PR campaigns overseas to increase tourism.

What is "soft power?"

Answerers should not consider the worst case scenario. Just be factual.

Answer 1

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? I live across the St.Lawrence river from New York state and I can assure you it's going to be a tough sell to get anyone more than the truckers and business people to go across the border.
One: even before September the eleventh in two thousand and one: my freind was going to Florida to meet her husband who was working in that state waiting for the pass to get his wife (my freind) permission to live with him in the states. At Malton airport while she was waiting for her plane the U.S. security boys brought her into their office and gave her the third,fourth and fifth degree only to let her catch her flight with this admonition, "when you come to our country please dress more approperatly so we don't think you're a bum!!!!" for gawds sake! and this they tell her in her own home town.
Two: last year another freind went across the border with a lot of other freinds. She is a Canadian female,caucasion,well dressed, employed in a responsible position, and has no criminal record and the jerks called her a security risk then refused entrance! The whole carload had to turn around and go home.
If you want to improve the tourism in the good old U S of A then try a little diplomacy. Guns and paranoia aren't going to work.
Canada and the United States have had the longest undefended border in the world. The paranoia of your present government has gone beyond state security, it's gone into the absurd.
Passports to go across the border after centuries of trust?
Good luck on your tourism gambit.

Answer 2

Significant factors are detailed above.
The visa question has forced people without machine readable passports to attend personalized interviews at US embassies in European countries. Those countries did not have the infrastructure to issue the new passports to all that wanted them.

The cost is up to $500 bucks internal travel inc.

Firstly tourism was up 5% in 2004-2005
It was up 6% this year I think
It is still below 2000 though.

But that's not your real issue
You want to show everyone hates Bush.

Well Europeans have always thought Americans were a brash, unsophisticated, loud, and stupid nation.

During the cold war Europeans ridiculed Reagan for his evil Empire remarks, many opposed his "provocative" deployment of missiles to Europe.

Europeans could feel superior watching oddball European TV programs of gun loving, capital punishment enforcing, eccentric Americans.

(Now you've got Michael Moore doing it Hollywood Blockbuster style, and YOU can feel superior to your own fellow citizens.)

BUT they all read, watched, and followed American fashion. Even though in countries like France have a law restricting the amount of hours of foreign (American) music can played on Radio Stations in a 24hr period.
(that is a part of Soft Power).

And they still do.

BUT your "real" issue the WAR on Iraq.

Your hated, stupid, ridiculed, BUSH/cheney.

Why does Blair of the UK
Howard of Australia, still support Bush emphatically
Why are 34 other countries in Afganistan.

"The future of a vital region of the world and the security of the American people depend on victory in Iraq".

So either we put up some resistance or say that we have no answer to countries using the indescribably barbaric tactics employed there. Leave other countries to the same fate.

America will have little to be proud of if that is the consequence.

Sorry for the length but you might read it.

If you can take any more check out the answer to this question.
Pax Americana?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AhUUr8yeLvji3eoSJzav8jbsy6IX?qid=20061205205046AAhGOlG

The tourists will keep coming a long as you don.t start your civil war again.

Smile not rile

Answer 3

By looking just at the questions on here and the hate and nonsense we witness everyday. Some Americans either give off a perception of being a very divided country. Or the amount of bravado and testosterone given off with the big rah rah session how America is great and every other country is beneath them, let alone the religion bashing that goes on. This would make a person not want to come to the States because despite the wonderful scenery and attractions, many Americans (not all) sure make it sound like they do not want any outsiders coming over.

Answer 4

Honestly there's probably other reasons. Air travel to the United States has become increasingly expensive, to the point where international tourists consider alternative destinations because travel to the US is too expensive. Hotels, food, goods, in all major cities have also increased in cost. The visa application process for foreigners from countries where visa approval is needed for entry has become even longer and more tedious than before.

But I think the drop in international tourist levels has more to do with airfare than anything. Why shell out a thousand bucks to fly to New York from say Japan when I can go to Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, India, and large parts of southeast asia for hundreds less, and have just as much fun?

Answer 5

The U.S. comes across as unfriendly and insular. This is not necessarily true, but none-the-less it is what foreigners think. One of the biggest problems in travelling by air (which is how most people get to the U.S.) is the airport. Security has increased immensely in all airports all over the world, but in American airports travellers are treated like criminals. Tourists have decided that Disneyland just isn't worth the effort, and there are a lot of other places in the world to visit. Places where they don't feel under suspicion. Places where they feel welcome.

The image of tourism in the U.S. will improve in time, but it relies upon the people.

Answer 6

Bush will be out of office in a couple of years. Maybe the next president can do something to repair our image. I think it is a way for foreigners to protest our actions in the middle east. Just like a lot of Americans stopped going to Aruba.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

One word BUSH, when he leaves and the policies in this country change the tourists will return. The dollar has devalued by 1/3 making it far more cheaper to travel to the US and still people do not visit. they are angry with this country because BUSH

Answer 9

With the way some Americans treat foreigners, are you surprised?

It's not the image that needs improving. It's the attitude.

Answer 10

Make the US a friendlier place to visit
The Patriot act has done much to harm not only citizens, but also those with good intentions that come here from other nations