US Tourist deterrent serviceFewer European overseas tourists visit US
The number of overseas tourists visiting the United States declined last year, serving as yet another indication that the slowing of the world economy, coupled with high oil prices, is also hurting the travel industry. The US Department of Commerce made public key figures earlier today that suggest a noticeable drop in the number of overseas visitors to America. Most conservative estimates indicate that the number of tourists arriving on long-haul flights decreased by about 11 percent last year, when compared with figures from 2000. The Travel Industry Association (TIA) also contends that the number of overseas visitors is likely to continue to decline, at least over the short-term. The drop in European tourists to the US, however, is somewhat surprising, considering the fact that these visitors can take advantage of very beneficial exchange rates, since in 2007 the US dollar lost a significant amount of its value against both the euro and the British Pound. This exchange rate has made travel to the US much cheaper for Europeans, but trips to Europe far more costly for American citizens.
In concrete numbers, the US saw approximately 10 million fewer tourists last year than what had been expected. Note EU-Digest: Another reason for this drop in tourism to the US from overseas is the increased red-tape related to what seem to be unnecessary US security measures. For instance, transit passengers arriving at a US airport of entry who need to transfer to an ongoing flight have to go through the "belts and shoes off" screening procedure again, even though they or their luggage have not gone out of a secured area.
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