Tourism Industry Trashes U.S.

AFP newswire delivers an unexamined press release from the “Discover America” tourism association that, “'Unwelcoming' US sees sharp fall in visitors since 9/11.”

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 told AFP.

The tourism industry is in search of more promotional funds and easier entry requirements for foreign visitors. “"The United States has to do what every other nation in the world does, and that is to promote itself to visitors," Freeman said.”

That’s what associations do, promote their industry. But, what is despicable is that this one does so by trashing, incorrectly, the United States, which it is supposed to promote!

The association’s executive director Freeman was already debunked last year at the University of Southern California’s Public Diplomacy blog.

Adam Clayton Powell III presented that:

In fact, quite the reverse is correct: the percentage of international travelers coming to the U.S. increased for the second straight year, exceeded only by France and Spain.

To which Freeman admitted:

It is true that the U.S. will welcome more visitors in 2006 than it did in 2005 or at any point since 9/11. In fact, the U.S. is expected in 2006 to return to its pre-9/11 total of approximately 50 million visitors. That’s good news -- economically and diplomatically.

Freeman, however, said the mix had tilted toward Canadians and Mexicans. “Today’s "increase" in travelers is driven almost entirely by Canadians and Mexicans.”

Powell rebutted with real numbers:

BTW since this was posted, I have received feedback from State, reporting that, based on actual (legal) admissions to the US, the number of visitors has "unquestionably" surged since 9/11 - and not just Canada and Mexico. The increase from the UK, for example, is much larger than Mexico. Visitors from Japan alone surged by almost a million in the past three years - and in 2005 were almost as numerous as (legal) visitors from Mexico.

AFP says:

The Discover America Partnership was set up by US business leaders last year to try to redress the flagging image of the United States through a campaign of public diplomacy, waged equally by the government, business and public.

A trade association that can’t and won’t get its facts straight is disreputable. When it tries to lie to get funding by trashing its ultimate client, that’s despicable, and stupid. "Discover America" is seriously off the reservation on its mission and needs to be hauled back immediately.

Another Link: Office of Travel & Tourism Industries to obtain real data.