Joint Associations Survey Shows Decline in Travel to US

Three leading travel associations—NTA, SYTA, and ABA—surveyed its U.S.-based members on a topic that has drawn increasing interest and concern in recent weeks: International travel to the United States. As has been widely reported, the desire for many Canadian and overseas travelers to the U.S. has soured. The joint survey, run from March 25 through April 9, does not probe for possible causes for disruption; it asks only for outcomes and concerns. Here are some highlights of the results:

• Just over half of all respondents (51%) say their business or destination has lost business, bookings, or visitation from Canadian or other international groups. (25% say they’ve seen no impact, and the rest are unsure at this time or do not operate international inbound travel.)
• A breakdown of member type shows major differences: While only 32% of U.S. tour and motorcoach operators say they’ve been impacted, 63% of sellers (DMOs, attractions, hotels, and restaurants) report being impacted.
• Asked to be specific about the impact, half of all respondents cite “lost revenue,” 37% name “canceled organized tours,” and 30% cited “canceled room nights.”
• Asked if they have seen a reduction in future business leads or interest from Canadian or international groups, 46% of all respondents report seeing a decline.
• We see a similar difference among member types with the question about future business: Again, about a third of tour and motorcoach operators (32%) report seeing a decline, while 55% of sellers are seeing reduced interest.

“In today’s challenging environment, it is extremely important for the United States to welcome student and adult travelers from all countries. The experience of travel outside one’s own immediate environment can expand a person’s understanding of people who differ from them and increase empathy for others.  It is also essential to reiterate the importance of tour and travel – including foreign travel – to our national economy. Together we ask that you reassure our friends at home and abroad that the United States is ready to accept all secure travel into the country” says Carylann Assante, CAE, CEO SYTA and the SYTA Youth Foundation.

Click here for recent news coverage about international travel to the United States.