The number of tourists visiting the United States plummeted following the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington on September 11, 2001, attributed to the perception among foreigners that they are not welcome in America, U.S. tourism workers reported this week.
‘Since September 11, 2001, the United States has experienced a 17% decline in overseas travelers, costing America $94 billion through reduced tourist spending, nearly 200,000 fewer jobs, and $16 billion in uncollected taxes,’ stated a release from the Discover America initiative.
– It is clear what deters people in the environment created after 9/11: it is the perception that travelers are not welcome anywhere in the world. Travelers around the globe feel that the experience of entering the U.S. is among the worst in the world, said campaign executive director Geoff Freeman, urging the U.S. government to collaborate with the private sector to more effectively supply visas, make the entry process friendlier for travelers, and improve communication.
– We have set many security barriers for a reason, but we have not communicated them and we have not told travelers that we want to do business with them, Freeman said, adding that the United States must do what every other nation in the world does, which is to promote itself to visitors. He also noted that the U.S. Department of Commerce plans to increase the number of tourists by only one percent over ten years, which he said would get him fired if he managed any business that way.
