Tourists: Come to America

I think this is a great idea.  The Corporation for Travel Promotion (CTP) is a private-public partnership formed for the purpose of bringing visitors to the United States.  Their ad campaign starts next year.  They describe their campaign as:  “the first-ever coordinated global marketing effort dedicated to welcoming international travelers to the United States.”

They also refer to creating a “21st century brand which symbolizes the boundless possibilities of the U.S.”

The group’s website also offers a few tips for travelers to America:

“Health care is superior in the US but it can be very expensive because there is no universal health care.”

“Some banking networks charge fees of $1-2 per transaction.”

“Be aware that Americans are fanatics about showering and hygiene.”

They should have mentioned something about the language barrier.  Foreign tourists who aren’t fluent in English are in for a rough time.  I’ve traveled all over Europe and Asia and would have been totally stranded if I had to rely on my own tiny smatterings of the local language.  English, and numerous other languages, are widely spoken overseas.  Such is not the case here, for whatever reason.

A spokesperson from the Corporation for Travel Promotion said:

“What is so compelling about the United States is that no one thing can explain who we are as a nation.  Each visitor and each experience helps create the fabric of American culture, and Brand USA embodies this spirit. When we launch our global marketing and advertising campaign next year, we will be able to reach audiences around the world by showcasing the best of America and spreading the message that we welcome visitors with open arms.”