No ‘Trump Slump’ In Tourism, But ‘Trump Bump’ Possible

United Airlines jets sit at gates at Denver International Airport on Saturday, May 2, 2015, in Denver, as seen from a United 757 leaving a gate. (AP Photo/David Boe)
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NEW YORK (AP) — Last winter, the U.S. tourism industry fretted that Trump administration policies might lead to a “Trump slump” in travel.

But some now say those fears were premature. International arrivals and travel-related spending are up in 2017 compared with the same period in 2016.

There might even be a “Trump bump,” according to Roger Dow, CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, a nonprofit representing the travel industry.

A few months ago, some warned that President Donald Trump’s travel ban and anti-immigrant rhetoric could hurt tourism. But latest numbers from the U.S. Travel Association showed a 4 percent growth in international travel to the U.S. in April and a 5 percent growth in May compared with the same months last year. Various individual sectors of the travel industry also report no declines so far.

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  1. Avatar for clare clare says:

    A few months ago, some warned that President Donald Trump’s travel ban and anti-immigrant rhetoric could hurt tourism. But latest numbers from the U.S. Travel Association showed a 4 percent growth in international travel to the U.S. in April and a 5 percent growth in May compared with the same months last year.

    But the ban hasn’t been in effect. Couldn’t the bump be from people anxious to get to the U.S. before the ban is enacted?

  2. The photo shows United planes. Perhaps the “bump” is because United has strapped people into seats even after those people asked to get off the plane.

  3. Foreigners reading the news is probably akin to viewing trailers for a new horror film set for release. No matter the gore and mayhem seen on screen millions flock to ogle it. The United States is like that fiery 23 car pile up on the highway. People just want to see it up close, despite all the screams of pain and twisted metal.

  4. Avatar for korvu korvu says:

    Many people book vacation travel a year or more in advance. Whatever is happening NOW reflects decisions made many months ago.

  5. I have a friend who booked a flight as soon as he found out the in-laws wouldn’t be able to follow him…

    ba-dum-dum

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