Travel News

The Obama Administration’s New Tourism Plan: A CBS This Morning Report

This morning, President Obama announced a new executive order designed to attract more foreign visitors to the Unites States. In order for tourists from Brazil and China to receive visas faster, Obama will increase visa- processing capacities in both countries by 40 percent. In addition, the order aims to have 80 percent of nonimmigrant visa applicants from around the world interviewed within three weeks of applying.

Travel and tourism is America’s largest services export industry. Aside from being responsible for more than 14 million jobs, the industry alone generates $134 billion a year and $1.8 trillion in economic output.

However, some of the number are sobering: In 2000, the U.S. enjoyed 17 percent of the global long-haul travel market. In 2010, that number had dropped to 12.4 percent.

Providing context on Obama’s announcement, Peter joined the team on CBS This Morning to report on our lost decade of tourism in this country. With lost jobs, lost revenue, and of course, lost opportunities, find out what Obama needs to do to turn things around.

What do you think? Will Obama’s plan help turn the economy around?

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