Less international tourists coming to US!!

[AGENDA21]

US tourism industry leaders and top government officials on Tuesday urged collaboration between the public and private sectors to stem shrinking US market share of international visitors.

Michael Chertoff, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), told travel industry leaders at the Global Travel & Tourism Summit held in Washington that government is attempting to balance strong security with welcoming foreign tourists.

"We want to have a system that is secure and safe but welcoming to travel across the world," said Sec Chertoff. "Americans lose when we put up walls and keep people out."

US market share of international tourism is at an all-time low, dropping 35 per cent between 1992 and 2004, which translates into $286bn in lost revenue, according to the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA).

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12273325/

[SoCalDem]

1. Surprise surprise

BushCo rolled up the welcome mat and threw it in the trash..

[wake.up.america]

3. I refuse to make that long awaited trip across America with my family...

until it becomes saner.

Instead, we will take a train down to Isla Cristina.

[jilln]

2. Several friends have told me...

they don't want to come. One is afraid of terrorist attacks, some are afraid they wouldn't be let in at the border, a couple said they're afraid of being mistaken for Arabs, and several said they just aren't interested in visiting a place with this kind of government...

[Warpy]

6. I've heard the same things from European and

Australian buds. They don't want to come here because they're terrified of a government run amok and they're terrified of a broken health care system that would ruin them if they got even a little sick over here and they're terrified Stupid is going to start lobbing nukes and they'll be trapped here for the next world war, which they agree we'll probably lose.

I know I'm not hearing as many languages here this year as I have in years past.

[madrchsod]

4. i don`t blame them

i doubt i would want to come here with the gestapo agents checking my every movement. canada is a nice country for overseas tourists to visit if they want to come to this side of the ponds

[tanyev]

5. They're just not that in to us anymore.

Can't say I blame them.

[bunkerbuster1]

7. Holy Crap, that's awful.

I figured it'd be down, but 35% over the past decade-plus? Even worse than I'd thought.

Another great accomplishment. Way to go, Commander Cuckoobananas.

[valerief]

8. LESS? Leave it to those 3rd grade editors! Should be FEWER. n/t

[haab]

9. and it's getting worse....

The achievements of Bush&co are monumental..!!

[sinkingfeeling]

10. The only reason to come is to get a first hand look at an arrogant

failing empire.