U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman emphasized the urgent need for federal intervention, stating, "While we inch back to pre-pandemic travel numbers, other countries are actively advancing strategies to gain international visitors and are now ahead of the United States in the race to win back the global travel market."
Excessive Visitor Visa Wait Times Pose Threat to $150 Billion in Spending and 39 Million Visitors Over the Next Decade
Travel Industry Applauds Biden Administration Action to Protect, Grow International Travel to the United States. Visa Waiver Authority Extension to Save 2.2 Million Visitors, $5.9 Billion In 2024.
During his time as President and CEO, Thompson has played a pivotal role in promoting the United States as a premier travel destination. Under his leadership, Brand USA has achieved remarkable milestones, including increased international visitation, and enhanced global awareness of the diverse offerings across the country.
The organization highlights that resilience in the travel industry continues within a challenging economic context
"Hawaii is wonderful, it's unique, it's magical. It has something very special that is hard to describe unless you visit it," says Gustavo Inciarte of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
During the IPW Media Marketplace we spoke with Caroll Almeida, from Universal Parks & Resorts, who offered a broad overview of the new attractions that there are to offer to travelers who choose to vacation in the US. Super Nintendo World in California and Illumination's Villain-Con Minion Blast in Orlando are the most outstanding news.
In his first participation in an IPW as president and CEO of U.S. Travel Association, Geoff Freeman, mentioned in front of journalists from around the world, four examples of how the US federal government can improve and increase the arrival of international travelers, including reducing wait times for visitor visa interviews.
