In a turn of events that surprised many, the Nobel Committee awarded its Peace Prize to President Barack Obama today.
Though polls suggest his administration has improved the global image of the United States, Obama’s popularity has yet to translate into any gain for the country’s tourism industry.
But with pro-American sentiment on the rise globally, and renewed efforts to woo foreign visitors, is the American “brand” bouncing back?
Recent studies show that the number of foreign travelers to the United States fell 10 percent in 2009 compared to the same period last year.
And just last week, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ended Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Olympics in the first round, despite a star-studded team of lobbyists including the President, the First Lady, and Oprah Winfrey.
In light of these setbacks, is America’s global image really improving, or is there something else holding back U.S. tourism?
Olympic insiders have said that Chicago’s campaign was not to blame for the city’s loss. They say the funding was adequate and the venues were spectacular. The real problem may have been a matter of security.
No, safety was never a concern. Rather, the intense visa and entry requirements to gain access to the United States left some IOC officials wondering if foreign athletes and tourists would really feel welcome upon their arrival.
Read more about traveling in American with our USA Travel section.
An IOC member from Pakistan posed this question to the Chicago lobby and pointed out that entering the country as a foreigner can be “a rather harrowing experience.”
Has the image of the “Ugly American” been replaced by one of the suspicious and fearful American?
President Obama told the committee that he wants America to be viewed as open and welcoming to the rest of the world.
In a press release, U.S. Travel Association president Roger Dow echoed that sentiment.
“When IOC members are commenting to our President that foreign visitors find traveling to the United States a ‘pretty harrowing experience,’” he said, “we need to take seriously the challenge of reforming our entry process to ensure there is a welcome mat to our friends around the world, even as we ensure a secure system.”
Dow and others hope that a bill working its way through Congress, the Travel Promotion Act, will be a key factor in re-branding America as a premier travel destination.
Read more about the Travel Promotion Act here.
In addition to raising money and promoting U.S. tourism, the bill also aims to clarify the U.S. security and entry processes for international visitors. The Senate will vote on the Travel Promotion Act in the coming weeks.
The Travel Promotion Act and Barack Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize are certainly steps in the right direction for America’s image, but U.S. travelers can also influence perceptions of America. When you travel abroad, be a good ambassador.
By Dan Bence for PeterGreenberg.com.
Related Links: National Public Radio (NPR), NPR’s Marketplace, WorldHum.com
Peter Greenberg Links:
- Foreign Tourism Down, Can Travel Promotion Act save the day?
- Chicago, Madrid, Tokyo Denied: Rio de Janeiro Scores 2016 Olympics
- Tips on Avoiding the Ugly American Stereotype
- President Obama’s Chicago: Tips for a Barack-Style Vacation
So what do you think? Does America need to make changes to its entry procedures to be more welcoming to foreign visitors? Is the Travel Promotion Act a good idea?
