Apparently the US is losing out on the global tourism market, and according to a recent Associated Press article, Congress aims to do something about it.
Hmmm...
Well they could poll some of my friends around the world who have declined my invitations to come visit. Chief among the reasons they give for passing up on my generous hospitality include the eyeball scans and fingerprinting they would have to endure at US customs.* I mean really, is this any way to treat guests?
What kind of arrogance rules the land when the government appears to be surprised that many tourists are willing to pass on the opportunity to be abused by US Border Patrol agents? Frankly I'm surprised we've managed to hang on to as many visitors as we have.
According to the article, "the United States is the only global destination without an ongoing program to promote itself." Did I mention arrogance? Whatever. Senate Bill S.1661 proposes a new corporation to help promote the United States as a destination to travelers around the world. Visitors from the 27 Visa-waiver countries will be taxed to help pay for it.
Sigh...
________
*Okay, okay, a lot of them also doubt that I'll still be living in the US by the time they schedule their trips.
About Me
- Inez Templeton
- Berlin, Germany
- I have a PhD in Film and Media Studies and live in Berlin, where I work as a freelance editor. I was born in North Carolina and have lived in Chapel Hill, Austin, Atlanta, San Francisco, Vienna, Frankfurt, Essen, Brooklyn, Birmingham (England), Bridge of Allan (Scotland). Dislikes: stupidity, racism, impatience, intolerance, arrogance, spam, people who drink too much and become aggressive. Likes: Telling stories, listening to music, hanging out with friends, coffee, cooking, going to the cinema in the middle of the day, strolling through the streets of Berlin, the Sunday paper, Andreas . . .
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