Obama factor is expected to improve US tourist numbers

Following the election of Barack Obama as the next US president, Britons are expected to visit the country in record numbers, according to a prediction by American tourist authorities shortly after his electoral victory.

The number of British visitors to America has continued to remain below the pre-September 11 terrorist attack levels. Alan Waddell, the Visit USA chairman, has said that he expects the numbers this year to surpass the highest levels recorded, in 2000, when 4.7 travellers from Britain visited the US. This would solidify the position of the United States as the top long-haul destination for Britons.

Waddell cited Obama’s popularity in Europe and the optimism that his election has engendered as providing the ideal conditions for increased tourism.

“Ever since the presidential candidates began seeking nominations last February the country has been in the spotlight,” Waddell said. “With the eyes of the media on all corners of the US, people have seen that there is more to the country than Florida, California, Las Vegas and New York.”

The recent rise in visitor numbers can partially be attributed to the favourable exchange rate, which has seen the pound buying approximately two US dollars for the first six months of this year. In the past few weeks, however, the pound has dropped back to its average of 1.6 dollars per pound, but analysts are expecting the decline in the currency to be offset by the enthusiasm generating by Obama’s victory in the presidential election.

Thanks to www.telegraph.co.uk for the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.

www.visitusa.org.uk