In an interview with Business First with Angela Miles, Geoff Freeman, CEO of U.S. Travel, highlighted a growing concern: the United States is the only country where inbound international travel is declining.

“Our travel trade surplus of $50 billion has turned into a $50 billion deficit, and it is expected to reach nearly $70 billion by 2025,” Freeman stated, emphasizing the magnitude of the challenge.

Freeman noted that the U.S. has a historic opportunity to reverse this trend with upcoming international events: the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2028 Summer Olympics, the Rugby World Cup, and the Winter Olympics, in addition to America’s 250th birthday in 2026. “It’s event after event that really puts the U.S. center stage in the world. These events are potential to really attract international travelers,” he explained.

He stressed the economic importance of international visitors: “These travelers are ridiculously important. They spend eight times more on average than American travelers. They come here, spend their money, use services, leave us money, and go home and tell their friends and family to do the same thing.” Freeman estimates that 40 million international travelers could arrive just for these events, but “it’s not gonna happen on its own.”

Freeman highlighted the key obstacles currently facing inbound travelers:

• Visitor perceptions of welcome in the U.S.
• Three-hour or longer waits at customs in American airports.
• Visa processes and new entry fees recently implemented by Congress.

“Travel is not optional, it’s essential. It creates 15 million jobs, strengthens communities, and connects people in a way nothing else can,” Freeman concluded. To regain its position as a top global destination, Freeman emphasizes that industry and government must act together.