Fewer Belgian tourists to US due to Trump’s policies
All over the world, more and more tourists are avoiding the United States out of dissatisfaction with Donald Trump's policies. Belgian travel agencies are noticing the decline in tourists' interest as well.
Earlier it had been predicted that 8.8 per cent more international tourists would flock to the US this year, but according to a new analysis by research firm Tourism Economics, the number of tourists would actually fall by 5.1 per cent. The number of hotel bookings from Europe and Canada would drop by 15 and 27 per cent respectively.
Belgian travel agents also notice the decline in tourists' interest in visiting the US. “The booking season started well in autumn, with 6 per cent more reservations than a year earlier, but that lead has completely melted away since Donald Trump's inauguration in January,” tour operator TUI’s spokesman Piet Demeyere told De Morgen.
“We hear from travel agents that Belgian travellers are currently adopting a hesitant attitude,” Frank Bosteels, CEO of the Belgian Travel Confederation, confirmed to VRT NWS. “Many people are reviewing their planned trip and not booking straight away. We are not receiving any cancellations for now, but new bookings are under pressure.”
Hostile rhetoric
The Tourism Economics report notes that Trump's hostile rhetoric is scaring off many tourists. The trade war may also stop tourists from booking a ticket to the US. And even those with enough money and those who are not deterred by Trump, may still face practical problems on a trip.
Germany tightened its travel advice to the US after several citizens were arrested at border controls. A French researcher was recently denied entry because a “personal opinion about the Trump administration's policies” was found on his mobile phone.
New York © BELGA PHOTO Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP
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