Brand USA President and CEO Chris Thompson marked the end of his tenure during his final press conference at this week's IPW Tourism event. Looking back on more than a decade of service, Mr. Thompson expressed confidence in the resilience of the U.S. international inbound travel industry, citing its impressive performance in recent years.
Mr. Thompson noted the resurgence of travel enthusiasm and emphasized the United States' leadership in long-haul travel arrivals. Last year, the country welcomed nearly 67 million visitors who spent a total of $213 billion on travel and tourism-related activities, an increase of 28% from the previous year.
He said visitor arrivals from India have already surpassed 2019 levels and several other major countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the UK, are expected to achieve similar levels in 2025. He said he is ready.
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According to a recent study conducted by Brand USA, the United States ranks as the top destination for international travelers in several countries, including Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, and Mexico. Of particular note is the growing intention of Chinese travelers to visit the United States, which reached a record high of 55% in March 2024.
Looking ahead, the United States aims to welcome 90 million tourists annually by 2027. Tourism Economics predicts approximately 78 million tourist arrivals by the end of 2024, and international traveler spending is expected to increase by 74% between 2023 and 2027.
Brand USA plans to leverage global events coming to the United States in the coming years, including the Route 66 Centennial, the FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, to engage consumers in new ways.
Mr. Thompson will retire this year, and Fred Dixon will become Brand USA's next president and CEO. Dixon currently serves as CEO of the New York City Convention and Visitors Bureau. He will assume his new role at Brand USA on July 15, 2024.
Editor's note: This article was generated by AI based on a press release distributed by Brand USA. Fact checked and reviewed by TravelAge West editors.
