700K fewer tourists come to visit USA
Largest decline from Middle East, Africa
About 700,000 fewer international tourists arrived in the USA during the first three months of the year compared with last year, according to Commerce Department figures, a decline anticipated and feared by the travel industry.
The steepest drops were from the Middle East and Africa, regions that sent about one-fourth fewer visitors to the USA than two years ago, according to preliminary figures from the department’s National Travel and Tourism Office.
Though those regions send a relatively small number of tourists to the USA, European arrivals were down 10% to 2.6 million visitors, down nearly 300,000 during January, February and March. Arrivals from Mexico were down 7% to 3.9 million visitors, also nearly 300,000 during the period.
Overall, the 15.8 million international tourists during the first quarter were down 4%, or 697,791 visitors. The decline represented nearly $2.7 billion in reduced spending, according to an estimate by Tourism Economics of Wayne, Pa., which analyzes travel data widely used in the industry.
“It means that we are seeing substantial declines in international travel,” said Adam Sacks, president of Tourism Economics. “Our concerns are being realized.”
The Commerce Department issued a statement that Secretary Wilbur Ross is committed to travel and the economic benefit it provides. Ross met Wednesday with his Travel and Tourism Advisory Board to discuss ways to support the industry.
“The Trump administration is unequivocally committed to ensuring that the U.S. continues its globally competitive quality visitor experience while also ensuring the safety of both our residents and our guests,” the statement said.
The travel industry warned of a drop in tourism in response to President Trump’s “America first” rhetoric in his inauguration speech, his call for a wall along the border with Mexico and his proposal for a temporary travel ban for citizens of six Muslimmajority countries. Trump and other administration officials said the wall and travel ban are important security measures.