Latest news with #GeoffFreeman
Skift
3 days ago
- Business
- Skift
White House Considers $1,000 Fee to Speed Up Tourist Visas, Memo Says
While fast tracking visitor visas would make travel easier for some travelers, it might not do much to solve the pressing issue of lengthy wait times for interviews. The Trump administration is weighing a $1,000 fee for expedited visa interview appointments for tourists and other nonimmigrant applicants, according to a State Department memo obtained by Reuters. The pilot could launch as soon as December. However, the agency's legal team said there was a "high risk" the proposed fee would be rejected by the White House budget office or struck down in U.S. courts, according to the memo. The memo said setting a fee higher than the cost to provide the service "is contrary to settled Supreme Court precedent." Currently, nonimmigrant visa applicants pay a $185 processing fee. "The Department's scheduling of nonimmigrant visa interview appointments is dynamic and we are continually working to improve our operations worldwide," a State Department spokesperson told Skift. The State Department reported it issued 11.5 million nonimmigrant visas during the 2024 fiscal year, including 8.5 million visitor visas. Reports of a possible $1,000 fee for an expedited visa interview come after Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last month that the State Department was looking at ways to speed up the processing of visitor visas ahead of next summer's FIFA World Cup. U.S. Travel Association CEO Geoff Freeman said in February that the extended wait times for visa processing at U.S. offices abroad were a major deterrent to visiting the country. The organization reported last month that the average visa wait time for applicants from top inbound markets was 188 days in April.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Travel Industry Sounds Alarm: Expedia and Leaders Confront U.S. Tourism Concerns
SEATTLE, May 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Top travel leaders, including Expedia Group CEO Ariane Gorin and President & CEO of U.S. Travel Association Geoff Freeman, gathered in Seattle at the annual EXPLORE conference to discuss turbulence in the global travel market. As economic pressures grow and international demand softens, industry insiders are calling for urgent action to encourage travel to and within the U.S. The two executives provide commentary on what the U.S. government must do now to protect one of its most vital economic engines, what to do about the drop in demand from Canadian travelers, and why economic softness may be good news for your summer vacation. Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: Top Story Angles: The economic threat to U.S. travel: International arrivals are down, inflation is squeezing consumers, and global instability is reshaping demand patterns. 2026 could be a turning point — or a missed chance: With major global sporting events on the horizon, leaders stress that now is the moment to invest in infrastructure, streamline travel policies, and improve the traveler experience. Traveler frustration is peaking: At the summit, leaders are candid about the problems and focused on solutions. WHERE:Expedia HeadquartersSeattle, United States View original content: SOURCE Expedia Group Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Travel Weekly
13-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
WTTC calls projected decline in international visitors 'a wake-up call' for U.S.
The U.S. is on track to lose $12.5 billion in international visitor spending this year and is projected to be the only country among the 184 analyzed that is forecast to see inbound visitor spending decline in 2025, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) said today. The latest Economic Impact Research from the WTTC and Oxford Economics found that international visitor spending to the U.S. is projected to fall to just under $169 billion this year, down from $181 billion in 2024, a 22.5% decline compared to the previous peak. "The U.S. is welcoming fewer visitors from its neighbors and countries further afield, which is a clear indicator that the global appeal of the U.S. is slipping," the organization said. • On the Folo podcast: The state of travel today The downturn, it added, will impact "communities, jobs and businesses from coast to coast." "This is a wake-up call for the U.S. government," Julia Simpson, the WTTC's CEO, said in a statement. "The world's biggest travel and tourism economy is heading in the wrong direction, not because of a lack of demand but because of a failure to act. While other nations are rolling out the welcome mat, the U.S. government is putting up the 'closed' sign." The concern echoes that of the U.S. Travel Association, whose CEO, Geoff Freeman, recently said that the $50 billion travel trade surplus the U.S. enjoyed 10 years ago has swung to a $50 billion deficit, a $100 billion reversal that threatens to get worse, and called for a welcoming message to potential travelers. A long road back? Simpson added that without urgent action to restore international traveler confidence, it could take several years for the U.S. just to return to prepandemic levels of international visitor spend, not even the peak from 10 years ago. "This is about growth in the U.S. economy -- it is doable, but it needs leadership from DC," she said. Simpson did not cite any of the probable reasons for the downturn, such as the tariffs and tariff threats on countries around the world; President Trump's rhetoric about making Canada the 51st U.S. state; and concerns from European governments about the detainment of European tourists at the Canada and Mexico borders. The WTTC said that U.S. Department of Commerce numbers from March show a "sharp and widespread drop in inbound travel from many of the country's key source markets, such as the U.K. down nearly 15% year over year, Germany down 28%, South Korea down 15% and other key markets such as Spain, Colombia, Ireland, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic all seeing double-digit drops between 24% and 33%. "As widely expected, the Canadian market is drying up, with early summer bookings down over 20% compared to last year," the report said. "This is more than a dip. It's a wake-up call." U.S. is 'losing its crown' The WTTC said that in 2024, nearly 90% of all tourism spending came from domestic travel, with Americans vacationing at home in record numbers. The organization said this heavy reliance on "homegrown tourism is masking a serious vulnerability: The international market is where the real growth lies, and the U.S. is losing its crown." In 2019, the WTTC said, international visitors to the U.S. generated $217.4 billion in revenue and supported almost 18 million jobs. "Today, that legacy is under threat," the organization said. "WTTC is calling for immediate action to address travel access, rebuild international marketing efforts and restore global traveler confidence in the U.S."
Travel Daily News
09-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
U.S. Travel Association calls Secretary Duffy's announcement "bold"
U.S. Travel backs Secretary Duffy's $12.5B air traffic control modernization plan to enhance aviation infrastructure and improve the travel experience nationwide. WASHINGTON – The U.S. Travel Association congratulated U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on announcing an initiative to modernize the nation's air traffic control system – an essential step toward strengthening America's travel infrastructure and ensuring a better experience for millions of travelers. 'We commend Secretary Duffy for his leadership and vision in tackling the urgent needs of our air traffic control system,' said Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. 'Prior to President Trump's administration, America's leadership too often focused on fines and fees when it came to air travel. What Secretary Duffy announced today will benefit travelers and the broader U.S. economy, and it's the type of leadership that America's travel industry has been calling for.' The plan would address long-standing challenges in the aviation system by advancing vital new technologies and requesting increased federal investment to ensure timely implementation. The plan includes a technology overhaul that will bring desperately needed upgrades to the crucial systems that support almost 3 million air passengers each day. Critically, Congress is considering legislation that provides a $12.5 billion downpayment to support the plan. This funding would ensure the technology upgrades are not just aspirational, but actionable. 'For too long, outdated systems and underinvestment have slowed air travel and hampered growth,' said Freeman. 'The investment in Chairman Graves' reconciliation proposal would put us on a clear path toward a more reliable and resilient aviation system – one that can meet the demands of modern travelers and support the continued growth of the travel economy.' U.S. Travel Association will continue working with the Department of Transportation and industry partners to support the implementation of these long-overdue reforms. In addition to modernizing the air traffic control system, U.S. Travel is advocating for upgrading America's airports and the traveler experience. Freeman also testified before Congress on the urgent need to prioritize travel earlier in April.
Axios
06-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
D.C. tourism numbers rise as international visitors projected to fall
D.C. saw record tourism numbers and a subsequent economic boost last year — but international travel to the District is expected to dip this year, city leaders and travel officials announced during a press conference Tuesday. The big picture: Fewer people are traveling internationally to the U.S. due to safety concerns regarding the Trump administration's rhetoric and its policies on immigration and border control. State of play: D.C. is poised to host a series of huge events over the next few years — WorldPride kicks off this month, America's 250th anniversary celebration is next summer, and the NFL Draft is slated to be held here in 2027. Fewer people are expected to travel internationally for WorldPride, organizers have said, due to the current administration's attacks on LGBTQ+ individuals and organizations. By the numbers: More than 27 million people visited D.C. in 2024, a 1.25 million increase from the previous record, set in 2023, per a release from Destination D.C. (DDC). 25 million of 2024's visitors traveled domestically, while 2.2 million traveled internationally — a 10% international increase over 2023. Visitors spent $11.4 billion and generated $2.3 billion in tax revenue — saving each D.C. household $3,608 in taxes, per DDC. Yes, but: There will likely be a 6.5% drop in international travelers to D.C. this year, per a Tourism Economics forecast included in DDC's release. Meanwhile, there's expected to be a 9.4% drop across the country. What they're saying: "There's a perception forming that people might be detained or otherwise discouraged from coming here," said Geoff Freeman, CEO and president of the U.S. Travel Association. "I don't think this perception is accurate, but I know we've got a lot of work to do to shape a more favorable perception." The intrigue: Visitors from other countries often spend more time in their destination cities and spend twice as much money as domestic travelers, per DDC.
