The year is almost half over, and the travel industry has a lot to talk about.
Some travel agents have opinions about how the new administration is doing. Others have kept tight-lipped-getting people to talk for this article was very difficult compared to others.
The reality, however, remains the same: The travel industry has been in the spotlight since inauguration day, from the travel ban and the revised version to the electronics ban and videotaped problems on the airlines.
This year has been a challenge, and the effect is showing.
According to a recent article published on Bloomberg.com, "Trump's rhetoric and unpopularity abroad is likely to reduce international arrivals by 4.3 million this year, according to market strategy firm Tourism Economics LLC."
The article, written by Justin Bachman, also states that New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami are all susceptible to any declines, being among the most popular destinations for foreign travelers.
However, David Rosner, the co-CEO of smarTours, a guided tour company based in New York City, said that President Trump could actually make several key fixes which would greatly improve the travel industry. Among them: fewer regulations, lower taxes and increased investment in infrastructure.
"Decreased regulation would be a big help so we can focus more on actual business issues and less on legal, compliance, HR, etc.," he said.
Rosner would also tell President Trump that lower taxes would provide more cash flow to invest in the industry. Yet, "improved infrastructure would transform our airports, roads, trains, etc. and would enhance and improve the overall travel experience," he added.
[READMORE]READ MORE: More Reports Show Trump Could Cost US Billions in Tourism[/READMORE]
In the same Bloomberg article, Roger Dow, president of the U.S. Travel Association, was quoted as saying he remains hopeful that the president will "clarify" his policies so that international travelers don't decide to skip America: "Donald Trump understands it, he is a hotel owner. He understands the international traveler."
While the number of international travelers might be dropping, Tom Karnes of LaMacchia Travel in Kenosha, Wisconsin, believes that no matter what President Trump is doing in the Oval Office for the travel industry, it's not sticking.
"The new administration has so much going on and nothing really sticking, so people have just decided to keep traveling and not really let any of the rhetoric keep them down," he said.
Karnes believes that there are those who are traveling regardless of any issues: "With more people traveling, it seems like we are getting less and less of the nervousness or uncertain passengers, and more of the 'these are the times we live in and I'm going anyway,' passengers".
[READMORE]READ MORE: Why Luxury Hotels May Hurt Most by Trump's Travel Ban[/READMORE]
Margie Lenau of Wonderland Family Vacations would love to talk to President Trump about improving the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
"Our first line of defense is the TSA personnel," she said. "The vetting and training our TSA personnel needs to be improved. Procedures for travelers that are considered a possible threat must be standardized. Travelers should be respected while they are being screened. If they must be detained, the traveler's information should be current and easily accessed by TSA personnel."
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