American tourism gets hit this summer

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Graduation season is wrapping up and summer vacation season is just starting, and this time is enjoyed by Americans and visitors alike. Foreign tourists flock to America’s beaches, parks and cities, and students travel from all over the world to study in the US world-class universities. However, data suggests that this summer may bring fewer of tourists as well as students.

 
Tourists and students account for roughly 80 percent of total non-immigrant visas issued by the U.S. each year. They spur demand for goods and services, which boosts economic growth and helps to power the tourism industry and higher education system.

 
Last year, international tourism directly contributed more than $200 billion to the U.S. economy, and international students contributed close to $40 billion. These improve America’s trade balance with the world.

 
However, fewer overseas travelers are choosing to come to America, which poses a threat not only to these industries, but also to economic growth. Meanwhile, the number of international students opting to study in the United States has also gone down. During the 2017-18 academic year, American colleges and universities saw a drop in international enrollment for the first time in over a decade. A 4 percent slump hit undergraduate and graduate programs, translating into 32,000 fewer international students than the previous year.

 
Several factors are to blame for this. The U.S. dollar has strengthened over the past few years, which has affected the buying power of foreign visitors and might make vacationers rethink about visiting the US.

 
Recent policy changes and political rhetoric also play a role.

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