Tourism Slide

 

U.S. Travel Association president and CEO Geoff Freeman shared some illuminating tourism stats. 

Despite hosting the World Cup, the U.S. saw a decline in overseas travel this summer.

America's on pace for overseas visitors to drop by 2 million from last year — down 20% from the '19 peak.

"We're the only major country in the world losing visitation," Freeman says. "It's mind-boggling."

Travel from longtime allies has cratered — including from Canada (down 23% over two years), Germany (down 16% year to date) and France (down 15% year to date).

Two big winners from the U.S. tourism slide:

China, which has expanded visa-free entry.

Japan, where a cheap yen and rising reputation as a prime destination have driven a long-term inbound resurgence.

Any theories?