What Trump's First 100 Days Say About The Future Of Travel

President Trump has done nothing short of flip the travel industry on its head with hotly contested travel bans, proposed budget cuts and his recent electronics ban on flights departing the Middle East, all this within his first 100 days. So, what will travel look like in the next four years under President Trump?
“The travel industry had high hopes for President Trump, especially due to his background in the hospitality industry,” Andrew Scheivachman, a senior writer at Skift, told Culture Trip. “His policies so far, however, have created a huge amount of uncertainty for both travel companies and travelers around the world, who are now reconsidering whether a trip to the U.S. is worth it at all.”
The seeds of uncertainty planted by the current administration are costing the U.S. economy billions of dollars. Trump’s anti-Mexico rhetoric, for example, is less than welcoming to Mexican tourists who otherwise would spend tourism dollars visiting cities like New Orleans or Miami. That loss in tourism from our Southern neighbor will be an estimated $1.1 billion loss. Meanwhile, popular tourist destinations like New York, are seeing 300,000 fewer visitors this year.

“Some U.S. tourism boards such as New York City have launched marketing campaigns to combat the Trump Administration’s unwelcoming message,” writes Scheivachman. “But the person that international travelers want to hear from to reassure them of their safety and hospitality is first and foremost President Trump.” Unless the stream of racist rhetoric coming from White House changes, the next four years of U.S. tourism may see dwindling numbers.

Of all the travel industries, it seemed hotels would benefit the most from having a former hotelier as president. Unfortunately, since Trump’s travel ban announcement, hotel brands are uneasy. According to a report from Scheivachman, “Marriott CEO Sorenson expressed concern about the kind of message Trump’s travel ban was sending to the rest of the world. He also noted that, anecdotally, some groups are choosing to bring their meetings and events to destinations outside of the U.S.”

Similarly, airlines have suffered blows under Trump’s legislation as restrictions on passengers have translated to business setbacks. “The electronics ban is almost certainly a commercial problem for the three big Gulf carriers,” explains Scheivachman. “Their lucrative business travelers in business and first class don’t want to stop working for 10 to 16 hours on long-haul flights.”

Overall, it seems Trump’s first 100 days in office foretell a bleak future for U.S. travel should his administration continue to ostracize immigrants and marginalize foreigners, turning a country once pride on accepting all, to now excluding many. From this messaging, neither hotel, airline or tourism is safe from suffering setbacks.

As it goes, 100 days into his presidency and Donald Trump is finding the Oval Office strays far from the relaxed golf courses of his Mar-a-Lago estate. “I loved my previous life,” Trump recently told Reuters. “I had so many things going. This is more work than in my previous life. I thought it would be easier.” We miss our previous lives too, Donald.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.