U.S. Travel Association
04/23/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/23/2026 10:42
U.S. Travel Association Condemns Campaign to Undermine World Cup Travel to the United States
WASHINGTON -
Statement by Geoff Freeman, President & CEO, U.S. Travel Association
Let's say the quiet part out loud: the campaign by civil society organizations to discourage World Cup travel isn't about protecting visitors. It's about using the livelihoods of American workers and businesses as leverage to influence policies they oppose.
That's not advocacy. That's sabotage.
Are there legitimate concerns about U.S. entry policies right now? Yes - and we've said so publicly. Has the Trump administration made progress in numerous areas? Unequivocally. Let's deal in fact, not fiction. For example, the number of travelers detained at Customs to have their devices searched is a difference of less than 0.01% between the Biden and Trump administrations according to official Customs and Border Protection data.
We continue to oppose potential visa fees, social media screening, and policies that make the U.S. less competitive as a destination. We say that directly, including to the Administration itself. But discouraging travel by calling the U.S. unsafe for visitors is a different thing entirely. 67 million international travelers came to the United States last year. The notion that visiting America poses a meaningful safety risk is not a good-faith warning, it's a political tactic designed to cause economic harm.
There are legitimate ways to challenge policies you oppose. Harming the livelihoods of American workers and businesses by frightening away visitors isn't one of them. We'll keep doing it differently: making the honest case, staying in the room, and fighting for an America that's open, competitive, and worth the trip.
U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing the $1.3 trillion travel industry, an essential contributor to our nation's economy and success. U.S. Travel produces programs and insights and advocates for policies to increase travel to and within the United States. Visit ustravel.org for more information.
U.S. Travel Association published this content on April 23, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 23, 2026 at 16:42 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]