According to a variety of global travel agencies, interest and bookings in holidays to the US have, in their words, 'fallen off a cliff' since President Trump came into office. In his first month in charge, the controversial travel ban (more fittingly known as the 'Muslim Ban') has been the biggest contributor to consumers' decision making when considering potential US holidays.
One of the biggest players in the travel market, Kayak, released figures today showing a more than 50% drop in searches for holidays in Orlando, Florida, a popular year-round destination for families from across the globe.
Furthermore, interest in other popular destinations such as San Diego, Las Vegas and LA has also suffered, down 43%, 36% and 32% respectively. Described by those in the industry as the 'Trump Slump', it has been estimated that the decisions taken by the White House have so far cost the American tourist industry an estimated $185m, with the situation looking bleaker by the day.
Failing to achieve the potential
Earlier in February, the US Travel Association had announced that the number of international visitors in 2016 had finally reached the levels seen pre-9/11. The terrors attacks of 2001 had caused a huge dent in tourist numbers in the country and the period following had been unofficially referred to as 'the lost decade' according to Jonathan Grella, executive VP of public affairs of US Travel.
Sadly in the weeks following President Trump's announcement of his executive order, travel website Hopper reported a 17% decline in flight searches to the US compared to the last few weeks of President Obama's reign. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the largest decline has been from predominantly Muslim countries, with interest from such nations having dropped on average by 30%.
Hopper went further in stating that this was not a seasonal effect, citing that in a comparable period in 2016, the decline had only been 1.8%.
Global benefits
The US's loss has been the world's gain, with other international destinations having received a boost to their popularity. In response to the the US closing it's doors, countries such as Mexico, Singapore and New Zealand have become more popular than ever, with flights to such destinations falling by between 20% and 40%.
Furthermore, the cost of flying to Europe has seen an average fall of around 30%, offering consumers a wealth of possible alternatives to travelling to America.
Travel experts were quoted in the Boston Globe as describing Donald Trump's travel ban as similar to the 9/11 terror attack in it's effect on the US tourist industry. However, it's not all doom and gloom as tourist enquiries from Russia have seen in increases in demand by 88%. Make of that what you will.
