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The U.S.’s share of international travelers is expected to continue fall through 2022, according to the U.S. Travel Association.
U.S. Travel research indicates that the U.S.’s share of global long-haul travelers will fall below 11% in 2022, down from 13.7% in 2015. The percentage has been on a four-year slide, reaching 11.7% in 2018, a decline representing a loss of 14 million international visitors and $59 billion in spending, said U.S. Travel. Between now and 2022, the further drop would mean a loss of 41 million visitors and $180 billion in spending.
Factors contributing to the decline in inbound travel include the continued, historic strength of the U.S. dollar; ongoing trade tensions; and stiff competition from rivals for international tourism.
“Passing legislation to renew Brand USA is the most immediate move to help correct this problem, and we hope this shows Congress the urgency of getting that done this year,” said Tori Barnes, U.S. Travel’s executive vice president of public affairs and policy.
Funding for Brand USA, the public-private travel marketing organization, is scheduled to expire in September 2020 because of the 2018 congressional budget cap agreement that diverted Brand USA’s funding to general revenue. Brand USA uses no taxpayer funds: Its funding comes from international visitor fees and from the private sector through cash and in-kind contributions.
Last month, four U.S. senators introduced a bipartisan bill to reauthorize Brand USA in 2020.
Source: travelweekly.com
