Model USA is being requested to advertise a vacation spot undermined by U.S. authorities insurance policies on equality, funding, and border remedy. As Canadian and world vacationers quietly flip away, eTurboNews calls on U.S. lawmakers to cease sacrificing tourism to ideology and restore belief earlier than long-term injury turns into irreversible.
When Travelweek, a Canadian journey commerce publication based by the Authorities of Canada, interviewed Chris Heywood, Senior Vice President of Public Relations and Chief Communications Officer at Model USA, his message was polished, diplomatic, and reassuring.
- Model USA, he mentioned, stays “completely dedicated” to Canada.
- Journey advisors are “very important.”
- America, implicitly, stays open and welcoming.
These statements should not unfaithful. They’re merely now not credible on their very own.
Tourism Is Being Undermined by U.S. Authorities Coverage
Model USA, the U.S. Journey Affiliation, and tons of of U.S. vacation spot advertising organizations are being requested to advertise a rustic whose federal management is systematically dismantling the very values that world tourism depends upon.
- Equality.
- Inclusion.
- Predictability.
- Respect.
By huge funding cuts, politically motivated board removals, assaults on range initiatives, and more and more hostile border and immigration rhetoric, U.S. lawmakers have despatched a transparent sign to the world: worldwide guests are now not a precedence—and a few are clearly much less welcome than others.
No tourism marketing campaign can counteract that message.
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Model USA Is Trapped – And Muzzled
Model USA’s management understands the injury being carried out. But it surely can not say so publicly.
After an estimated 80% minimize in federal funding and the elimination of impartial board members, Model USA operates underneath political strain that leaves little room for sincere public discourse. The group is anticipated to “promote America” whereas being denied the sources, independence, and political backing wanted to take action.
This isn’t vacation spot advertising. It’s disaster administration with out authority.
Canada’s Decline Is a Warning, Not an Exception
Canada stays the second-largest supply of worldwide guests to the US after Mexico. But Canadian visitation has dropped considerably, and what stays is more and more quiet and reluctant.
Many Canadians nonetheless journey south—however they now not market it, have a good time it, or suggest it overtly. This phenomenon of “silent tourism” displays one thing deeper than financial components.
Vacationers are watching:
- Equality protections are being rolled again
- LGBTQ+ communities focused
- Ladies’s rights are restricted
- Immigration rhetoric weaponized
- Border remedy is turning into unpredictable and intimidating
Individuals don’t trip the place they really feel unwelcome or unsafe.
Mega-Occasions Will Not Repair a Damaged Popularity
U.S. lawmakers steadily level to imminent mega-events—the FIFA World Cup, America 250, and Route 66 anniversaries—as proof that tourism will rebound.
They’re unsuitable.
- A World Cup doesn’t reassure a Muslim traveler.
- A nationwide anniversary doesn’t consolation a same-sex couple.
- A historic freeway doesn’t assure dignity at a border checkpoint.
Tourism is constructed on belief, not spectacle.
A Direct Name to U.S. Lawmakers
US-headquartered World Tourism Community points this name to motion to the US Congress and federal management:
If you need worldwide tourism income, jobs, and world credibility again, you should act now.
- Restore Full and Steady Funding for Model USA
Tourism advertising can not operate as a political punishment device. - Defend Institutional Independence
Vacation spot advertising organizations should not be reshaped by ideology. - Publicly Reaffirm Equality and Non-Discrimination
World vacationers decide international locations by legal guidelines, not slogans. - Reform Border and Entry Practices
Dignity at ports of entry is the entrance door of tourism. - Cease Utilizing Tradition Wars on the Expense of Tourism
Worldwide guests should not home political opponents.
The Penalties Are Already Right here
Tourism is likely one of the fastest-growing industries on this planet.
- It rewards welcome.
- It punishes hostility.
- And it remembers.
Model USA is doing its job. The tourism business is doing its job.
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