News
US is scarier than terrorism
22 November 2006
A new report says America is pushing tourists away by having an entry process which people find both rude and scary.
Research by the Discover America Partnership (DAP) highlights serious misgivings in the US' way of dealing with tourists at the airport and this could be having a negative impact on the country as a whole.
The study found that travellers to the US are more afraid of government officials in the country than they are of terrorism or crime.
It also discovered that two-thirds of visitors are worried they will be detained at the airport due to a mistake, while the country's entry process is rated as the "world's worst".
'This study should be a wake-up call for the US government,' said Geoff Freeman, executive director of the DAP.
'Visiting the United States and interacting with the American people can have a powerful, positive effect on how non-US residents see our country.
'Unfortunately, perceptions of a rude and arrogant entry process are turning away travellers and harming America's image,' he added.
The DAP is calling for minor changes to be made to the US entry process in order to put a stop to falling visitor numbers.
The research found that travellers' only expectations are that communication is clear, respect is shown and staff are courteous.
© Adfero Ltd
Research by the Discover America Partnership (DAP) highlights serious misgivings in the US' way of dealing with tourists at the airport and this could be having a negative impact on the country as a whole.
The study found that travellers to the US are more afraid of government officials in the country than they are of terrorism or crime.
It also discovered that two-thirds of visitors are worried they will be detained at the airport due to a mistake, while the country's entry process is rated as the "world's worst".
'This study should be a wake-up call for the US government,' said Geoff Freeman, executive director of the DAP.
'Visiting the United States and interacting with the American people can have a powerful, positive effect on how non-US residents see our country.
'Unfortunately, perceptions of a rude and arrogant entry process are turning away travellers and harming America's image,' he added.
The DAP is calling for minor changes to be made to the US entry process in order to put a stop to falling visitor numbers.
The research found that travellers' only expectations are that communication is clear, respect is shown and staff are courteous.
© Adfero Ltd
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