Frommer Takes on 'War on Tourists'
July 22, 2007. In Arthur Frommer's latest syndicated column, "America's War on Tourists: How the U.S. Hurts Itself," the travel guru highlights a disturbing trend in international tourism.
Since 2000, fewer travelers from other countries have been visiting America. Worst of all, rather than encouraging international tourism, our government seems to be making it more difficult for visitors.
One would think, Frommer postulates, that the weak U.S. dollar would have international tourists flocking to America in droves. Unfortunately, tourism to the United States from abroad has declined by 10 percent since 2000. In the same period, tourism has increased in other developed countries: Britain is up 13 percent; France by 20 percent; and Australia by 21 percent.
"Though all nations lost tourism in the immediate wake of 9/11, virtually all other nations have made up the deficit and forged ahead," Frommer writes.
Foreign tourists say the difficulty obtaining visas is one of the major obstacles, citing a several-week wait merely to make an appointment – just an appointment! – to apply for such a visa at a U.S. consulate. Now, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security plans to add even more layers to the process, Frommer reports.
International tourism has always been a strong force in many American travel destinations, from Yosemite National Park to New York City. While recognizing the American government must address heightened security concerns in a post-9/11 world, perhaps it is time for the government to also address promoting international tourism.
