Six weeks after winning the polls, the US Electoral College has certified Donald Trump as the 45th president of the U.S. – which many took as the final effort to deny him to the White House. Following the win, the travel industry leaders faced the wrath of the question whether the U.S. president-elect have a swift impact on borders and tourism in the coming year?
According to Henrietta Loyd of Cazenove & Loyd, Cuba is in the crosshairs. President-Elect Trump has already threatened to terminate the U.S.-Cuba deal despite Cuba being one of the major leisure destinations. Loyd said that following the statement by Trump, there has already been an increased number of inquiries from the U.S. clients who are keen to book and go while relations have eased.
Gary Leff of Book Your Award said that at a top level, President-Elect Trump ran on limiting the movement of people and goods that are definitely not good for travel. In the short-term, the world sees the U.S. as less open to tourism and immigration. Meanwhile United, American, and Delta [could] capitalize on Trump’s protectionism [if the government] limits flights to the U.S. by Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar—reducing consumer choice and raising airfares.
According to other travel industry specialists, the travel agents should begin to promote tourism ideas only to the U.S. clients rather than targeting the international ones.
Richard Turen of Churchill & Turen said that Trump’s actions will be seen as racist and directed specifically toward Muslims and the exclusionary policies will be particularly harmful. This is why the travel providre sand travel planners should have a backup plan highlighting on the exciting travel plans within the U.S.
Andrea Ross of Journeys Within Tour Company believes that U.S. travellers abroad serve as the face of the tourism for the country. And Ross also thinks that it would be a wonderful opportunity for the domestic travellers to engage and discuss and enhance the tourism experience by sharing it with other international tourists.
