Decline in the number of visitors from overseas to United States

Travel promoters in the USA are concern over a decline in the number of visitors from overseas to United States.

The local visitor's bureau of Orlando, Florida goes on record stating that the city draws more than 50 million visitors annually out of which 3.5 million are international visitors. Orlando is famed for its attractions like the Disney World. While more than 50% of the 3.5 million come from Europe and about 25% from Canada, the rest of the visitors are a mix of Asia, South America and the Middle East.

While the above figures are only indicators, the international travelers make for only 5% of the tourism. Despite this fact the spending trend of international travelers create almost a 17% impact on Orlando’s economy. Since it is a high value segment, the perception of international travelers takes a front seat for Orlando’s visitor’s bureau. According to Danielle Courtney of the Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau “a reduction in international travel to the city is troubling”.

While Orlando’s concerns are not misplaced, other international travel destination like Las Vegas has actually risen in international travelers visiting. The rise is from 12% to 13% from 2005 to 2006 but the overall the trend across the country is down.

While reasons attributed to the fall of international travelers are open to debate, about 20% reduction of international travelers coming into United States can be related to many problems encountered by them while entering the country. While three hour delays have become normal in major airports like Los Angeles due to customs, the US government seems to have taken everyone that visits the country as a probable threat of crime or terrorism. While discernment is necessary through logical process, unless they are put in place the tourism industry may suffer yet.

In spite of the weakening dollar and the favorable exchange rate, the international visitors have reduced from other countries. Although the U.S. Commerce Department declared that the international visitors to America came to pre - 9/11 levels in 2006 as far as numbers go, this has come because of more influx from Canada and Mexico.

The head of border security, Robert Jackstam says that the government is trying hard to get its balance right, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency says that it screens more than a million people entering USA daily, out of which 25% come through the airports. Robert Jackstam adds that “Our goal is that when people arrive at our ports of entry we want them to feel that this is a welcoming nation, and then we want to make sure we get them though the process, but at the same time addressing our national security concerns and making sure the people who are arriving have the proper documentation".

Whir the US government has taken several steps to improve the experience of travelers entering the USA, streamlining processes have been at the foremost of its agenda. While many systems have been put in place to smoothen the process, training customs agents, updating arrival areas and providing information to travelers have been the mainstay. Orlando is more bothered about the drop in inbound travelers from Europe and Asia and is putting in efforts towards marketing the destination in the UK in a bid make vacationers change their minds from traveling to the Middle East or Eastern Europe.

While the Discover America Partnership is following up with the U.S. Congress in order to get legislation passed to introduce exit fee and impose tariffs on people traveling to the U.S. without a visa, they are also of the opinion that the plan would provide at least $200 million which can be utilized to market United States as a tourist destination internationally.

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