Image Credit: Christopher Hollis

First it was Brexit.

Then it was the strength of the U.S. dollar against many foreign currencies.

Then it was the President’s executive orders concerning travel bans directed at certain countries.

Since 2014, the U.S. dollar has increased 18 percent in value.

Now the U.S. Travel Association has reported a significant drop in the number of inbound visitors to the U.S.—some of it directly connected to U.S. administration policies.

The last time this happened was right after 9/11.

Some tour operators are reporting a 27 percent decrease in bookings to the U.S.

But there’s one piece of good news for travelers.

The U.S. has now become a buyer’s market for travelers because there’s excess capacity.

There are empty rooms at hotels and resorts.

While domestic flights may be full, international flights are not.

What would have been return flights for foreign visitors are now showing lots of empty seats.

The result? Airfare sales that will last throughout the year.

For more information about how travel bans affected U.S. tourism, check out:

• Drop in US Tourism Impacts Hotels, Restaurants & Shops
• Fewer International Visitors to U.S. Could Impact Economy
• How Uncertainty Over the First Travel Ban Hurt the U.S. Travel Industry

Keep reading for more travel tips.