US Unveils Strategy to Attract Back Foreign Tourists

The United States has unveiled a comprehensive five-year strategy designed to reinvigorate the travel and tourism sector, with an ambitious goal of generating approximately $279 billion annually from international visitor spending, as reported by the Commerce Department.

"The impact of COVID-19 has taken a toll on our national and local economies, but it has also presented us with a unique opportunity to shape a more inclusive, equitable, sustainable, and resilient travel and tourism industry than ever before," emphasized Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

Before the pandemic, the travel and tourism industry was a robust contributor to the economy, creating a notable $53.4 billion trade surplus and supporting around one million jobs across the United States.

In 2019, close to 80 million international tourists visited the country, injecting nearly $240 billion into the U.S. economy; however, this number plummeted by more than half in 2020 as a result of the global health crisis.

With the advent of widespread vaccination efforts, international arrivals surged dramatically, exceeding 2 million in April 2022, a stark contrast to the roughly 775,000 arrivals recorded in October 2021.

This rebound indicates a positive trend, as international travel has produced a trade surplus for each of the last five months, a promising signal for the sector's recovery.

The National Travel and Tourism Strategy highlights the importance of promoting lesser-known U.S. destinations while also improving communication about health guidelines and travel requirements.