Originally Posted by
thegeneral
Do you seriously think that people in other countries are saying to themselves that they don't want to come to the US because they have to take off their shoes or actually check a bag?? They have to do similar things in their own countries. You should more be focusing on the customs/immigration barriers to entry for tourists than the TSA.
I never realized just how bad the typical US airport experience was until I traveled to New Zealand. The two experiences could not have been more unalike. In the US, everyone, from US-based airline employees to security, treated us as though we were an inconvenience to them. Air New Zealand and customs officials in NZ treated us as welcome guests--because my wife and I were wrangling two young children, one of the NZ customs officers even pushed our luggage cart down the security line for us!
If this is what citizens of other countries are accustomed to, no wonder they aren't coming to the US.
The above from boingboing.com
For folks who frequently travel, news about a decline in U.S. tourism is not a surprise given the frustrations of security searches, tiny small bottles, rude immigration officers and an infuriating visa process. The stats are discouraging.
The number of foreign visitors to the United States has plummeted since the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington because foreigners don’t feel welcome, tourism professionals said Thursday.
Interestingly, at the same time the process of travelling to China has improved greatly. The immigration and security checks at the China border are faster and more courteous.
from andrewlih.com
MYTH: International travel to the United States is strong and increasing.
FACT: According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, overseas travel to the United States is down 8% post 9/11. Only when surging Canadian and Mexican numbers are included does travel appear to be increasing. These travelers, while important, do not stay as long, spend as much, or play as critical a role in America’s public diplomacy efforts as do non-North American international visitors.
American Hotel and Lodging Association