5 Dec, 2017
America First backlash: U.S. visitor arrivals swimming in a sea of red ink
The United States’ tourism industry is swimming in a sea of red ink. On 29 November, the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office released preliminary data of visitor arrivals for the first half of 2017. It showed an overall decline of 3.9%, with significant drops in arrivals from key markets such as China, Europe, the UK and India. Check out the figures in detail below.
* I-94 June 2017 monthly arrivals data are preliminary, with these data subject to additional revisions that may be possible if improved solutions and/or sources are discovered for reporting non-resident arrivals to the United States. ** Overseas includes all countries except Canada and Mexico.
Many reasons leap out. The country’s Brand Ambassador in Chief is doing a stellar job destroying the country’s brand image in line with his electoral pledge to put America First. Domestic terrorism by its mass-shooters and white supremacists is not helping. Neither is the country’s flip flop immigration policies and the anti-Muslim travel ban, racial profiling and discrimination at visa processing facilities and international gateways.
The United States, a self-appointed global dictator and erstwhile champion of global freedom, human rights and democracy, is slowly but steadily falling victim to its own arrogance, hubris and stupidity. The America First policy is leading the world to put America Last. This will gain added traction until the “moderate” American people experience another Woodstock moment and realise how their leaders, their government, Wall Street barons, lobbyists and the military-industrial complex have undermined the country’s once cherished values and global respect.
Don’t expect Brand USA or the US Travel Association to do or say anything about it. Their job is to keep kissing Trump’s rump and flog what’s left of a once-shining Brand USA by sweeping key issues under the carpet and “remain focussed” on their core job, viz., to keep saying how wonderful, friendly and hospitable America really is.
From a Muslim perspective, all I can say is: Welcome to the club, guys.
* I-94 June 2017 monthly arrivals data are preliminary, with these data subject to additional revisions that may be possible if improved solutions and/or sources are discovered for reporting non-resident arrivals to the United States. ** Overseas includes all countries except Canada and Mexico.
* I-94 June 2017 monthly arrivals data are preliminary, with these data subject to additional revisions that may be possible if improved solutions and/or sources are discovered for reporting non-resident arrivals to the United States. ** Overseas includes all countries except Canada and Mexico.
* I-94 June 2017 monthly arrivals data are preliminary, with these data subject to additional revisions that may be possible if improved solutions and/or sources are discovered for reporting non-resident arrivals to the United States. ** Overseas includes all countries except Canada and Mexico.
* I-94 June 2017 monthly arrivals data are preliminary, with these data subject to additional revisions that may be possible if improved solutions and/or sources are discovered for reporting non-resident arrivals to the United States. ** Overseas includes all countries except Canada and Mexico.
* I-94 June 2017 monthly arrivals data are preliminary, with these data subject to additional revisions that may be possible if improved solutions and/or sources are discovered for reporting non-resident arrivals to the United States. ** Overseas includes all countries except Canada and Mexico.
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