Freeman noted that international visitors have dropped significantly since the start of the pandemic. At the end of 2023, there were 67 million people, just 84% of pre-pandemic levels. ”
Freeman said the U.S. experienced a sharp reversal in its trade balance, from a $12 billion travel trade surplus before the pandemic to a $50 billion deficit at the end of last year. He identified uncontrollable factors that influence these numbers, such as a strong U.S. dollar and restrictions on flight routes over Russian airspace, which he believes are “significant disincentives to bringing Asian travelers to the United States.” He said that
But Freeman pointed to several areas where aggressive measures could boost the U.S. travel sector, including visa processing and customs clearance. He highlighted the difference in visa wait times, saying, “If you're in Colombia and want to come to the United States, the wait time is over 600 days. If you're in Mexico, the wait time is over 800 days. If you're in India. , waiting times have been reduced to between 50 and 200 days.”
Freeman stressed that these issues are manageable and called on the U.S. government to “set a 30-day goal for processing all visas at consulates around the world.”
He also criticized U.S. customs conditions, where travelers often have to wait more than two hours to enter the country after flights, and an inefficient process for re-inspecting bags for travelers with domestic connections.
In response to these challenges, Mr. Freeman created a commission comprised of former government officials and private sector experts to recommend reforms to strengthen the United States as a travel destination. announced. Following recent meetings with senior government officials, including the White House, he said he is “cautiously optimistic that governments and officials are waking up and heeding calls to address these issues.” ” he said.
He added that new technology will help streamline the travel process, which will be critical ahead of major international events such as the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.
