When United States largest travel show for professionals, International Pow Wow (ipw) this weekend opens in Washington DC, it’s not with the usual American optimism.
Because ipw and the US tourism industry, is challenged and under pressure.
This is due to three reasons:
- Travel Ban and a rising unpopular American president.
- Proposal to limit support to Brand USA, the United States first joint tourist organization.
- A possible ban on bringing electronic effects, laptops, on flights between Europe and the United States, and perhaps from Asia and Australia New Zealand.
- President Trump
Swedish Travel agency Ticket have since Donald Trump entered the White House in Washington had a fallin bookings to the United States by 13 percent. Two other Swedish travel companies, Resia and Swansons,have experienced similar fall,”writes the Swedish travel magazine Vagabond. Before Donald Trump was elected to the US President, no one unselected the United States as a destination because of its policy. This year, 3 percent of travelers say they will not choose to travel to the United States on vacation because of the political regime, according to Swedish Resebarometern. However, there are also positive news for the United States. TUR, Norway, launches four new destinations to the United States: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Boston.
2.President Trump wants to eliminate Brand USA
President Trump’s federal budget document has no room for Brand USA and tourism. In his new budget, President Trump will take the money from Brand USA. USA’s first tourist organization. In response to this dramatic development, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow has issued the following statement:
“With all that’s going on in the world, unilaterally disarming the marketing of the U.S. as a travel destination would be to surrender market share at the worst possible time. The creation of Brand USA was a bipartisan effort led by Republicans that passed both chambers by overwhelming majorities. The agency was responsible for adding $8.9 billion to the U.S. economy last year, according to the firm Oxford Economics—a 28-to-1 return on investment.
Brand USA isn’t funded with a dime of taxpayer money, reduced the deficit by $50 million, and by the OMB’s own accounting eliminating it would put the federal budget further in the red.
With international visitation being the country’s No. 2 export supporting 15 million American jobs, we’re struggling to understand how cutting Brand USA squares with this administration’s stated priorities,” says Roger Dow.
- Laptops
The head of the Department of Homeland Security is considering expanding the U.S. ban on laptops and larger electronics from carry-on bags in all international flights.
I will cost a lot of money because Business Travelers pay full fair, stay at expensive hotels and fly Business Class.
Washington
“All eyes are on Washington this year, and many like to visit the city. So its exciting that ipw (International Pow Wow) for the first time ever is coming to the capital. Ipw is above last years figures. Washington is the big attraction,” says Michael Martin, Manager International Marketing, ipw, Washington.
Ipw is the largest travel trade show for professionals in the United States. It changes in a new city every year. Last year it was New Orleans. Next year it is Denver.
“Washington is much more than the government center with exciting museums and attractions, restaurants, hotels, shopping and an easy city to get around in.
The budget for ipw in Washington is on about five million. US Dollars. Participants are expected from 78 countries, with more exhibitors, buyers and media than last year, when there were about 6,300. Greater participation at ipw is South Africa, Brazil, Columbia and China.
We expect about 50-60 participants from travel agents and media in Scandinavia. Last year, mostly from Denmark with about 30 participants. Also this year, we expect that Denmark comes with most participants from Scandinavia,” says Michael Martin.
Before ipw Washington is working with the National Park Service and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum to hold a spectacular indoor/outdoor Opening Ceremony Sunday, June 4. The Press Brunch, also on June 4, will be at the Newseum, giving hundreds of international journalists exclusive access to the museum dedicated to freedom of speech. The Closing Ceremony will be held at Nationals Park on June 7, incorporating America’s favorite pastime into a memorable finale.
Photo:Cortes, Manager, meeting and Events, Egencia, Denmark, Birgitte Vraadal, Product Manager, FDM Travel, Denmark and Jesper Ewald, Manager, FDM Travel, Denmark at ipw in Washington
