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The Hill
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Trump's immigration policies could wreck the World Cup and the Olympics
Next year's FIFA World Cup will bring the world's biggest sporting event to 11 cities across the U.S. In 2028, Los Angeles will host the Summer Olympics. Under normal circumstances, these events would draw millions of visitors, generate billions of dollars in tourism and showcase America on the world stage. But unless the U.S. changes course, we are likely to squander the opportunity, damaging both our economy and our global reputation. Over 1 million fans traveled to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup. The 2024 Paris Olympics attracted about 1.7 million international visitors. The U.S. should be preparing for similar crowds, but it is instead throwing up barriers. On his first day back in office, President Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to apply 'maximum' vetting to all visa applicants. In practice, that has meant more arrests, more detentions, more deportations and more horror stories of travelers turned away at the border. The damage isn't limited to the border. The State Department has imposed invasive social media vetting on certain visa applicants. Consular officers are vetting applicants for 'any indications of hostility towards the citizens, culture, government, institutions or founding principles of the United States.' Applicants who refuse to make their online activity visible may be viewed as trying to hide something, which could result in a denial. Then came Trump's sweeping travel ban on 12 countries and restrictions on seven more on June 4. Leaked plans suggest the administration may soon target an additional 36 countries. That would affect hundreds of thousands of travelers. And earlier this month, Trump signed an executive order requiring noncitizens to pay more to visit our national parks than U.S. citizens. The travel industry is already feeling the effect. In May, the World Travel and Tourism Council projected that international travel spending in the U.S. will plunge by 22 percent this year — a $12.5 billion loss. Among 184 countries studied, the U.S. is the only one expected to see a decline in spending by foreign visitors. And don't assume you're safe if you're not from a banned country. Visa applicants from all over the world now face expanded surveillance and ballooning backlogs. For example, the average wait time for a tourist visa at the American embassy in Bogota, Colombia is now 15 months. Even under former President Joe Biden, more than 66,000 visa applicants were stuck in 'administrative processing.' That number has almost certainly grown during Trump's second term. Even travelers from closely allied countries now face uncertainty, long wait times and unexplained delays. The message is being received overseas: Visit America at your own risk. Meanwhile, the 11 U.S. cities hosting World Cup games are preparing for a wave of foreign visitors and media. But they also house large immigrant communities facing increased enforcement and surveillance. The administration has not clarified whether there will be any safeguards for undocumented or mixed-status fans, workers or residents near these events. On the contrary, Trump has ordered immigration agents to intensify arrests and deportations in Democratic-run cities like Los Angeles and New York — both key sites for World Cup matches. Immigrants are staying home, afraid that they could be picked up on their way to or from work. This is a self-inflicted wound. Without a reliable workforce and a welcoming environment for international travelers, the U.S. could turn two marquee events into cautionary tales. Even if the administration relaxes certain policies temporarily to facilitate the World Cup and Olympics, the damage to America's image and economy may already be done. Hosting global events is more than a point of pride — it's a test of openness, security and competence. A successful World Cup and Olympics would show the world that the U.S. remains dynamic, open and capable. But if fear and red tape define the visitor experience, we would send another message entirely: America isn't worth the trouble. That wouldn't just be a lost opportunity but an unforced economic and diplomatic error.
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Business Standard
06-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Indian hospitality industry protected from AI but needs massive manpower
Hotel chains have partnered with reputed hospitality institutes, participate in campus placement drives but to bridge the talent gap Gulveen Aulakh New Delhi Listen to This Article India's hospitality sector is likely to remain immune to the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), said industry watchers and executives, as it embarks on a CAGR growth of 9.6 per cent over the next five years, on the back of a rebound in tourism. In its latest projections, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), said that the Indian travel and tourism sector is expected to employ more than 63.9 million by 2035, up from 46.3 million in 2024. 'This is the only industry which may be immune to the impact of AI,' the WTTC chief executive Julia Simpson said,
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Trump's new entry rules backfire: European tourists ditch the US for Canada — Ontario booms
Why are Europeans skipping the U.S.? Live Events What makes Ontario so appealing? How is Canada capitalizing on this trend? FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel A new study says that more than half of European tourists are thinking about going to Ontario instead of the United States. Visitors are going north because of political tensions and stricter entry rules in the welcoming image and upcoming events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup are also drawing people from around the to a damning report, Donald Trump's policies could cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars due to a sharp decline in tourism and run the risk of alienating millions of foreign visitors. The sharp decline represents "polarizing rhetoric and policies of the Trump Administration,' as per a report by The World Travel and Tourism Council predicts that the United States will be the only nation out of 184 to see a decline in foreign visitor spending in 2025 as a result of the president's immigration crackdown, travel restrictions, and global reports of foreign tourists having their travel plans disrupted, and some even being detained by U.S. authorities, coincides with the possible reversal of U.S. tourism paired with a huge increase in European interest in visiting Ontario. The reasons for this include politics, safety concerns, and a growing appreciation for Canada's to a recent Context Research Group survey called the Europe Pulse survey, Ontario is a popular tourism destination in a result of Toronto's prospective status as one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the poll revealed that over half of European tourists want to visit Ontario, as per a report by to 87% of respondents, Canada is a desirable enough destination to visit on its own, as opposed to as a stopover in the United report also revealed that 62% of European tourists are hesitant to travel to the United States due to the country's tense political situation, which makes Canada an even more alluring Ronaldi, president and CEO of Destination Ontario, claims that European tourists are drawn to Ontario because "it reflects the shared values of safety, inclusivity, and authenticity that resonate deeply with today's global travellers," as per a report by Blog To."This first-of-its-kind study gives us valuable insight into how Ontario is perceived internationally and strengthens our ability to connect with the people most inspired to visit," she stated in a press to reports, new tourism offices are already creating fresh marketing campaigns to draw European tourists to Ontario from Germany and the United people cite political tensions and new US entry rules. Currently, approximately 62% of Europeans are wary of visiting the United safety, inclusivity, and excitement surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto are making Ontario a popular destination for European visitors.
Hi Dubai
30-06-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
UAE Emerges as One of the World's Top 7 Tourist Spending Hubs
The UAE's tourism sector delivered a record-breaking performance in 2024, contributing AED257.3 billion (US$70.1 billion) to the national GDP—13% of the country's economy—according to the latest report from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). The figure marks a 3.2% rise from 2023 and a 26% increase over 2019, placing the UAE among the world's top performers for tourism-led growth. Praising the sector's achievements, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum hailed the results as a reflection of the UAE's economic resilience and global appeal. International visitor spending soared to AED217.3 billion, while domestic tourism spending reached AED57.6 billion, reinforcing the country's position among the top seven destinations globally for international tourist spending. Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri attributed the success to the UAE's strategic tourism policies and infrastructure investments across all seven emirates. These initiatives support the national goal of increasing tourism's GDP contribution to AED450 billion and reaching 40 million hotel guests annually by 2031. The report highlighted the UAE's diverse tourist base, with top visitor markets including India, the UK, Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia. International visitors accounted for 79% of tourism expenditure, while leisure tourism dominated overall spending. Sustainability remained central, with tourism-related emissions comprising just 13.3% of national carbon output, aligning with the UAE's broader environmental goals. The sector also drove social impact, employing significant numbers of women and youth, and contributing over US$8.6 billion in tax revenues. Globally, the travel and tourism sector added US$10.9 trillion to the world economy in 2024, with the UAE standing out as a leading example of post-pandemic recovery and strategic growth. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Filipino Times
28-06-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
UAE ranks in world's top 7 for tourist spending
The United Arab Emirates ranked among the world's top seven destinations for international tourist spending in 2024, according to a report by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). Visitors spent AED217.3 billion (US$59.2 billion) in the UAE, a 5.8% increase from 2023 and over 30% higher than pre-pandemic levels. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, 'The WTTC report highlights the exceptional achievements of the UAE tourism sector. International visitor spending exceeded AED217 billion last year, with domestic tourism expenditure reaching AED57 billion. 'The UAE ranks among the world's top seven destinations for international tourist spending, surpassing countries that have been in this industry for centuries,' His Highness added. The report also showed that domestic tourism contributed AED57.6 billion (US$15.7 billion), bringing the total travel and tourism sector's impact on the UAE's GDP to AED257.3 billion. That amount represents 13% of the national economy and is one of the highest growth rates globally. The rise in visitor spending came from a wide mix of tourists, mainly from India (14%), the United Kingdom (8%), Russia (8%), China (5%), and Saudi Arabia (5%). The rest came from other parts of the world, showing the UAE's global appeal. Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said the country's achievements are the result of strong strategies, infrastructure upgrades, and international partnerships. He added that these efforts help create jobs and attract more investment in tourism.
