'Unwelcoming' US sees sharp fall in visitors

[gtalum]

'Unwelcoming' US sees sharp fall in visitors

The number of foreign visitors to the United States has plummeted since the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington because foreigners don't feel welcome, tourism professionals said Thursday.

"Since September 11, 2001, the United States has experienced a 17 per cent decline in overseas travel, costing America 94 billion dollars in lost visitor spending, nearly 200,000 jobs and 16 billion dollars in lost tax revenue," the Discover America advocacy campaign said in a statement.

Chairman Stevan Porter lamented the "extraordinary decline" in the number of overseas visitors to the United States, while the advocacy group's executive director, Geoff Freeman, blamed the slump on the shabby welcome many foreigners feel they get in the United States.

"It's clear what's keeping people away in the post-9/11 environment: it is the perception around the world that travelers aren't welcome," Freeman said.

MORE

It's time to revamp our immigration practices. The best way to take advantage of a weak dollar is to bring in as many foreign tourists as possible to pump capital into our country. Scaring people away because of our paranoia regarding 9/11 is counterproductive.

[southerngale]

Travelers are welcome... terrorists are not. Foreigners should know the difference.

[gtalum]

Travelers are welcome... terrorists are not. Foreigners should know the difference.

Our visa requirements and immigration procedures show that currently nobody who is not a US citizen is welcome.

[arkess7]

Hummmmmm There is no way in hell we will keep foreingers from comin' here.......

[george_r_1961]

'Unwelcoming' US sees sharp fall in visitors

The number of foreign visitors to the United States has plummeted since the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington because foreigners don't feel welcome, tourism professionals said Thursday.

"Since September 11, 2001, the United States has experienced a 17 per cent decline in overseas travel, costing America 94 billion dollars in lost visitor spending, nearly 200,000 jobs and 16 billion dollars in lost tax revenue," the Discover America advocacy campaign said in a statement.

Chairman Stevan Porter lamented the "extraordinary decline" in the number of overseas visitors to the United States, while the advocacy group's executive director, Geoff Freeman, blamed the slump on the shabby welcome many foreigners feel they get in the United States.

"It's clear what's keeping people away in the post-9/11 environment: it is the perception around the world that travelers aren't welcome," Freeman said.

MORE

It's time to revamp our immigration practices. The best way to take advantage of a weak dollar is to bring in as many foreign tourists as possible to pump capital into our country. Scaring people away because of our paranoia regarding 9/11 is counterproductive.

I dont see how we are "scaring people away." All tourists need is a passport and visa and they are good to go. I do business with tourists at the local hotels here and I havent seen a decline in the number of foreign visitors.

The "paranoia regarding 9/11" as you put it wasnt really paranoia per se but a heightened state of awareness and security at our nations ports of entry. I want tourist dollars too. I DO NOT want to wake up in the morning and see a repeat of 9/11.

[nholley]

If you want a demonstration of unwelcoming, go and stand in the Immigration line at Dulles!!

[gtalum]

I dont see how we are "scaring people away." All tourists need is a passport and visa and they are good to go. I do business with tourists at the local hotels here and I havent seen a decline in the number of foreign visitors.

Whether or not you personally see a decline in foreign visitors does not change teh fact that there are fewer foreign entries into the US this year than there were in 2000. We're losing out on billions in revenue, for no good reason. Getting visas is taking longer than ever (the UK issues them same-day) and we're now requiring them even for people visiting from formerly exempt allies in Europe. If you think this doesn't put a drain on the number of tourists you're crazy. The number one reason given for people who previously went to the US but don't any more is our immigration procedures. In addition to the visa requirements, we also fingerprint and photograph every visitor. nothing says "Welcome!" like treating someone like a criminal right from the start...

The "paranoia regarding 9/11" as you put it wasn't really paranoia per se but a heightened state of awareness and security at our nations ports of entry. I want tourist dollars too. I DO NOT want to wake up in the morning and see a repeat of 9/11.

A "heightened state of awareness" is a positive thing. Unfortunately that's not what we have. What we have is a poorly functioning immigration system that keeps people who want to come here and spend money from doing so.

[gtalum]

If you want a demonstration of unwelcoming, go and stand in the Immigration line at Dulles!!

or Miami, or Atlanta, or Chicago, or NYC, etc... US immigration is a uniformly unpleasant place if you're not American. In many cities it's unpleasant even if you are American, especially if you are a minority.

[george_r_1961]

Gtalum I rarely agree with you but I do enjoy the respectful bebates we have had.

[Stephanie]

Travelers are welcome... terrorists are not. Foreigners should know the difference.

Our visa requirements and immigration procedures show that currently nobody who is not a US citizen is welcome.

Are we discussing traveling or residence?? The title refers to "visitors" which to me means travelers.

It seems to me you're twisting a subject AGAIN to suit your own opinions and propoganda.

September 11, 2001 was six years ago. Several European countries have unfortunately been affected by terrorism since then, namely Spain and England. I think that the feeling is probably mutual on both sides of the pond.

[gtalum]

Are we discussing traveling or residence?? The title refers to "visitors" which to me means travelers.

It seems to me you're twisting a subject AGAIN to suit your own opinions and propoganda.

I'm not sure how I twisted the subject. Visitors go through immigration control when they enter the country. Fewer are coming because we have made the process unpleasant.

September 11, 2001 was six years ago. Several European countries have unfortunately been affected by terrorism since then, namely Spain and England. I think that the feeling is probably mutual on both sides of the pond.

The UK and Spain do not make it difficult to enter their countries. In fact, to enter the UK if you're not from a visa-exempt nation, you can apply for a visa on the spot and gain entry within hours. 9/11 is not agood reason to be frightened and close in upon ourselves.

[CajunMama]

I'd rather have heightened awareness of the immigration process than a lax one. How'd you think the terrorists got here in the first place. Maybe because we were too lax and they knew they could get in with no problem?

[gtalum]

I'd rather have heightened awareness of the immigration process than a lax one. How'd you think the terrorists got here in the first place. Maybe because we were too lax and they knew they could get in with no problem?

It is possible to achieve that without turning away friendly visitors who want to spend money and help keep our economy afloat.

[vbhoutex]

So GT what is your solution? How would you change the process while at the same time keeping our country safer than it previously was? I really do not know enough about this to comment much but saying it needs to be done and not offering a solution begs my question.

[CajunMama]

I'd rather have heightened awareness of the immigration process than a lax one. How'd you think the terrorists got here in the first place. Maybe because we were too lax and they knew they could get in with no problem?

It is possible to achieve that without turning away friendly visitors who want to spend money and help keep our economy afloat.

How? How do you decide which individual is friendly? Tell us.

[gtalum]

We can go by the same standard we use in our criminal courts: innocent until proven guilty. Do a quick spot background check (like other countries do, with great success) and drop the fingerprint and photograph shenanigans. Also, reinstating the recently removed visa waiver program for citizens of our allies would be a good step.

Do not be fooled into thinking that the false show of "security" currently performed by US ICE (not to mention the TSA) is actually creating any additional security for us.

[Stratosphere747]

Well GT, if we were to ever have a draft again - You should be able to tell us first-hand the unwelcoming experience of a tourist when you come back and visit..

[Stratosphere747]

And believe it or not, the issue has been recognized and steps are being taken to address the problems.

http://www.travelindustrywire.com/artic ... ittee.html

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:s1661:

[george_r_1961]

I think the number of foreign tourists becoming crime victims in the US may also have a small bearing on whatever drop in foreign visitors there has been. Anyway back to the topic here:

We must continue to carefully screen anyone entering the US. No amount of tourist dollars is worth innocent lives being lost in an act of terrorism. And while we are on the subject of money has anyone looked at the final tally for 9/11 yet?

[Stephanie]

Are we discussing traveling or residence?? The title refers to "visitors" which to me means travelers.

It seems to me you're twisting a subject AGAIN to suit your own opinions and propoganda.

I'm not sure how I twisted the subject. Visitors go through immigration control when they enter the country. Fewer are coming because we have made the process unpleasant.

September 11, 2001 was six years ago. Several European countries have unfortunately been affected by terrorism since then, namely Spain and England. I think that the feeling is probably mutual on both sides of the pond.

The UK and Spain do not make it difficult to enter their countries. In fact, to enter the UK if you're not from a visa-exempt nation, you can apply for a visa on the spot and gain entry within hours. 9/11 is not agood reason to be frightened and close in upon ourselves.

The process has become unpleasant for United States travelers within our own border, yet we know it's for our own security.