<article> Tourists avoid USA

Tabnabs

The journey to the USA involves too many unpleasant moments, and tourists prefer other destinations with a more welcoming atmosphere.

The Danish Broadcasting Corporation reports that tourism is down by one fifth to the USA since September 11, 2001, something that has cost the American tourist industry 200,000 jobs.

The reason is not fear of terrorism but the long, slow and inquisitorial process that now greets arrivals, Danish newspaper Berlingske Tidende reports.

According to a survey carried out for the US tourist industry half of those who have come into contact with US immigration authorities feel they have been poorly treated, and the industry is working to convince authorities that this must improve.

Danish travel bureau director Jan Lochard said the story was familiar.

"People experience the USA as a difficult land to visit, and it is not very pleasant being met by armed guards, demands of photo and fingerprints and a barrage of questions," Lochard told DR.

http://www.aftenposten.no/english/world/article1643025.ece

breadmonkey

Not surprising really, fúck them tbh.

Ruu_Old

Nothing new really, should do what the immigration control done in Brazil.

Tom Dunne

Actually, I'm just back from the US last week and one of the lads with us had never been to the US before.

To say he got a grilling at Dublin airport was an understatement. Suffice to say, his first impression of America (and dare I say it, Americans), was not a pleasant one.

Ruu_Old

They didn't pull him aside and bring him into that room, did they?:( Happened to me once and had a great laugh with the chap on duty, was asking about my laptop and what games I play on it.

Tom Dunne

No, just the immigration booths at Dublin airport. He was standing there for a good 10 minutes.

lord lucan

first time i went to nyc i went via london so i done immigration when i arrived in jfk,talk about a grilling:eek: ,was told to go to a seperate room where i was interrogated,produced all the relevant documentation and after 10 mins he let me in:D . what sticks in my mind was that the officer stood on a platform that put him about 4 foot higher than me so he was looking down at me,talk about a power trip:rolleyes: . have to admit its not the best welcome to the u.s. unfortunately they're just doing their jobs:(

Captain Trips

lord lucan wrote:

have to admit its not the best welcome to the u.s. unfortunately they're just doing their jobs:(

Yeah because most illegal immigrants have visas, passports and can afford transatlantic travel, and they NEVER go in by land borders, trucks or boats.

robinph

But those kinds of immigration checks that we get subjected to are nothing to do with capturing terrorists or even illegal immigrants. Their only purpose is to scare the general population a bit whilst they travel so as to make it look as if they are actually doing something useful.

breadmonkey

Captain Trips wrote:

Yeah because most illegal immigrants have visas, passports and can afford transatlantic travel, and they NEVER go in by land borders, trucks or boats.

QFT!