“IPW is an amazing experience for all of us,” said Susan Webb, President of Discover America Canada.
Casey Canevari, Senior Manager, Global Trade Development for Brand USA, told Open Jaw that total overnight arrivals to the U.S. from Canada increased to 20.5 million in 2023, up 43% from the year before. That’s just one per cent below 2019, pre-pandemic visitation levels.
Overnight arrivals are expected to increase 5% annually in 2024 and 2025, he said.
Chris Thompson, president and CEO of Brand USA, said the USA received 79.4 million visitors in 2019. Last year, that figure was 66.5 million.
Thompson said the lack of traffic from Asia is a factor in the USA’s overall visitation numbers, as it is for Canada and other western countries.
Thompson said the USA expects to surpass 2019 visitor levels by next year.
Thompson also noted that Brand USA’s Discover America program for travel advisors has been retooled, and that the agency is offering mega-fams to educate agents and showcase areas beyond major gateways. Brand USA recently took 50 Canadian agents on six trips to various US destinations, he said.
Thompson called the United States “the most diverse country in the world” and “the most aspirational destination in the world.” He also said the three letters USA are “the most powerful brand in the world.”
Looking ahead, he pointed out that Washington D.C. will host World Pride next year, and that U.S. cities will host critical FIFA World Cup games in 2026, including the finals in New York City. The U.S. also will celebrate the 250th anniversary of its independence in 2026, and Los Angeles will host the Summer Olympic Games in 2028.
Source link : https://openjaw.com/newsroom/on-location/2024/05/06/u-s-ipw-underway-in-los-angeles-canadians-take-centre-stage/
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Publish date : 2024-05-06 03:00:00
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