I received the below questions from Brenda. I’m sharing my response since you too may
have the same questions. You are welcome
to share it with others that may also have a concern about the recent travel
alerts. Hope it helps.
Hello Cherie,
Any information on potential outcomes we may face in our
industry relative to the US reports on worldwide terrorism threats on
travel. Are the main travel associations
planning to get together to hold meetings to discuss it?
Thanks so much.
Brenda Singleton
Hi Brenda,
I can only guess what may happen by what I've experienced in
the past. I've been through travel warnings, countries with government unrest,
recessions, 911 and more. I’ve watched
travel policy changes, tour industry changes, travel insurance changes, travel
bonds and of course the establishment of the TSA.
When there are threats we sometimes have a dip in tourism
and then the associations, local communities, states and politicians get
involved when jobs are hurt. Tourism
hires one in eight people worldwide.
It’s over a $84 billion industry in California. It’s extremely important to the US economy
and jobs but it sometimes takes educating the politicians and public of its
importance when it is challenged.
For example, remember after 911 when the Broadway actors
were in ads promoting NYC? The states
and counties had meetings on how to bring back tourists. I still remember
Sharon Stone and Arnold Schwarzeneger volunteering to shake the hands of
visitors to LA. Of course this was
after 911 and hopefully we won't have anything like that ever again.
Now that we have travel alerts, especially to Europe and the
Middle East, travelers may decide to hold off on European tours and travel
domestically and or will travel west towards the South Pacific and Asia and or
to South America.
Before 911 we had tour operators offering either
international travel or domestic travel.
After 911, when more US residents decided to travel domestically, tour
operators started offering tours to both markets. More domestic tours were offered for US
residents. We may see a boost in US
travel for leisure and meetings and incentives.
In recent years to help tourism, visa requirements have been
made easier to attract US visitors, particularly from Eastern Europe and Brazil.
President Obama made a speech at Disneyworld announcing the changes in
2013.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOZuGcOT0kg
The easy, non-visa requirements for US travel, particularly
from the European market, is now being questioned. If you watched the Syrian hearing last week,
it was discussed as a major concern for US security. If additional regulations are enforced our
inbound domestic tourism may take a 'hit' for a while. We may have fewer
visitors, some just not wanting to go through more procedures.
Tourism has been through challenges over the years, as have
many industries, during economic and safety concerns. Our industry has always come back quickly and
stronger than before the challenge.
I pray we'll all stay safe and tourism continues to thrive.
Glad you asked and hope this helps.
Cherie
