Airport Experience® News - 20 Years of the AX Conference

DATA CHECK

International Competitiveness: International Visits (International visitor arrivals in 2023* | % of 2019 level)

U.S.

84%

FRANCE

93%

MEXICO

93%

U.K.

94%

SPAIN

100%

GREECE

105%

U.A.E.

108%

TURKEY

109%

*Full-year forecast based on Q1-Q3 historic database Source: Tourism Economics

The U.S. is more selective in issuing visas, with visa waivers afforded to only 42 countries globally. The top six countries, in contrast, offered visa waivers to residents of 95 or more countries. In terms of visa wait times, the U.S. ranks last among the 18 countries, recording an average wait time of 162 days. The leaders – Australia and Turkey – average a one day wait. The U.S. fared better in customs and

entry wait times, landing in the middle of the pack. Several other countries are beating the U.S. in adopting technology to ease the passenger journey. The study showed that biometric capabilities are present in 36% of U.S. airports, with the U.S. ranking 10th among the 18 countries surveyed. Thailand led the field with 100% biometric capability, followed by China at 86% and Canada at 81%.

Freeman notes that other countries are proactive in efforts to make the traveler journey more seamless. “The United Kingdom is updating its security screening technology to eliminate the ban on carry-on liquids,” he says. “China announced it will allow some European and Asian countries to travel visa free and Canada added visa free travel for countries specifically excluded from traveling visa free to the United States. “The findings of the report are eye-opening,” Freeman continues. “The competition is outperforming us. The economic cost of these failures is in the billions of dollars.” While the U.S. is still the most desired destination for global travelers, it slid to third in total visitation (behind Spain and France). In 2023, it is estimated that the United States welcomed nearly 67 million international visitors—down from 79 million visitors in 2019 and only 84% recovered from pre-pandemic levels, which is far behind other competitors’ recovery rates. The shortfall pushed down the U.S.’s market share of inbound travel to 5.3%, from 5.4% prior to the pandemic. The study shows that travel to and within the United States is less modern, less efficient, and more cumbersome than in many parts of the world. It also shows that while other governments compete aggressively to modernize travel and gain market share, the U.S. lacks a strategy to grow its travel economy.

Overall U.S. Competitiveness Score Rank Country

Score

1

United Kingdom

72/100

2

France

66/100

3

Turkey

65/100

4

Italy

61/100

5

Canada

59/100

6

UAE

59/100

7

Spain

58/100

8

Germanv

54/100

9

Greece

52/100

10

Thailand

52/100

11

Australia

51/100

12

Brazil

50/100

13

Saudi Arabia

50/100

14

South Africa

49/100

15

Mexico

49/100

16

Singapore

47/100

17

USA

47/100

18

China

47/100

9

AX NEWS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024