Is the US killing off tourism?

[bizaro86]

Also, I should add that I have no beef with the US. It's a great country, and I might immigrate there if I ever get sick enough of the weather here. The US doesnt get enough credit for some of the ways it benefits the rest of the world.

Just as one example, the US health care system funds basically all the drug research in the world. Everyone else benefits from the new drugs that US consumers and insurers have paid for. A lot of great technology has also come from the US that everyone in the world benefits from.

So I have a great deal of respect for the USA (and especially for the people there).

 

[am1]

Also, I should add that I have no beef with the US. It's a great country, and I might immigrate there if I ever get sick enough of the weather here. The US doesnt get enough credit for some of the ways it benefits the rest of the world.

Just as one example, the US health care system funds basically all the drug research in the world. Everyone else benefits from the new drugs that US consumers and insurers have paid for. A lot of great technology has also come from the US that everyone in the world benefits from.

So I have a great deal of respect for the USA (and especially for the people there).

Likewise other then might immigrate there. Cannot afford the taxes on outside income.

 

[Talent312]

I wanna say, the places in the U.S. where we tend to go are not strife or crime ridden:
Marco Island, Orlando theme parks, Gatlinburg, New England, Colorado, Yellowstone...

I had a pickpocket attempt in Florence and my DW's wallet was stolen in London.
IOW, bad thing can happen anywhere; just don't be careless.

.

 

[isisdave]

I think a lot of Minnesotans sound "aboot" the same as midwestern Canadians.

 

[jabberwocky]

There are a lot of historical linkages between the US Midwest and western Canada. A large wave of immigrants (or emigrants depending on your side of the border) moved from MN, SD, ND, NE etc in around the 1880-1915 or so period and ended up settling in what would become southern SK, AB and MB. When I moved to the US for grad school in the Midwest everyone thought I was from MN at first. It’s not surprising that as a descendant of one of those immigrants that I would look and sound similar.

 

[bbodb1]

I think a lot of Minnesotans sound "aboot" the same as midwestern Canadians.

Eh?

 

[geist1223]

Back in the day folks in Minnesota and other Border States would move freely to Canada and back. My paternal grandparents grew up in Minnesota. Then in the mid 1920's the moved to Sask and became wheat farmers. My Dad and 2 Aunts were born in Canada. Grandpa died when Dad (born 1929) was about 12. They stayed in Canada for another 6 or 7 years and then moved back to Minnesota. Dad served for 22 years in the US Navy

 

[CPNY]

My daughter's host family in Switzerland had hoped to visit the US this upcoming year. They emailed me this week saying they are rethinking b/c "they don't like what's going on in the US".

Last night I was downtown (Chicago) and the entire city is filled with boarded up buildings. One of Chicago's attractions is it's beauty - especially in the summertime. I find it sad, depressing, anxiety-inducing and awful. If I had someone asking me "should I visit Chicago?", I'd probably steer them away from it and I'm one of the biggest "homers" there is.

That’s how I feel about nyc. I have been in Florida since May and I’m extremely happy I made the decision to come here for a bit. Nyc has lost its appeal after EVERYTHING.

 

[bbodb1]

That’s how I feel about nyc. I have been in Florida since May and I’m extremely happy I made the decision to come here for a bit. Nyc has lost its appeal after EVERYTHING.

In 2018, we drove the from New Jersey to upstate New York. With five lanes of interstate both ways and the asphalt/concrete jungle as a constant backdrop, if I never get to NYC that will be fine by me.
People were not meant to live like that.

 

[CPNY]

In 2018, we drove the from New Jersey to upstate New York. With five lanes of interstate both ways and the asphalt/concrete jungle as a constant backdrop, if I never get to NYC that will be fine by me.
People were not meant to live like that.

Lol. It’s fine when you can come and go. I’ve been blessed to always have a car living in nyc. Without one I don’t think I would be able to do it and I grew up there! It blows my mind know people there without cars and can never get out.

 

[Country Roads]

In 2018, we drove the from New Jersey to upstate New York. With five lanes of interstate both ways and the asphalt/concrete jungle as a constant backdrop, if I never get to NYC that will be fine by me.
People were not meant to live like that.

And yet they still flock to do so.

 

[bbodb1]

And yet they still flock to do so.

Oh, I realize it is one of those Que Sera Sera things, but I guess I just can't see the forest through the buildings.....

 

[Luanne]

Lol. It’s fine when you can come and go. I’ve been blessed to always have a car living in nyc. Without one I don’t think I would be able to do it and I grew up there! It blows my mind know people there without cars and can never get out.

Dh lived in Manhatten for quite a few years. He found it incredibly expensive to keep a car there when he wasn't using it much. He ended up getting rid of it and then just renting a car when he wanted to get out.

 

[bbodb1]

Just to be complete here, I do want to restate how much I enjoyed upstate New York. It seems so eerie to be away from it all as fast as things seem to thin out going north of the NYC area, but the area along the U.S. - Canadian border in New York and Vermont seem worlds away from NYC.

 

[Pompey Family]

Absolutely understandable - and I share that sentiment with you. Out of curiosity, (generally speaking) where did these experiences take place?

Atlanta, Cincinnatti, Philadelphia and one that I'd forgotten to add, Atlantic City. Those were the places that the hostility was directed towards me. General violence to others I've experienced in many places.

 

[Pompey Family]

The last terrorist attack in the United States was 9/11/2001.

Here you go Pedro, a bit of a refresher for your knowledge: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorism_in_the_United_States

 

[am1]

I would call what going on in Seattle a terrorist attack. But (almost) everyone is just happy to stand by and watch.

 

[Luanne]

I would call what going on in Seattle a terrorist attack. But everyone is just happy to stand by and watch.

You're making a lot of assumptions there.

 

[Conan]

Not to go too far off topic but I would call last night in Atlanta a terrorist attack. Others may see it differently and that is fine.

I would call what going on in Seattle a terrorist attack. But (almost) everyone is just happy to stand by and watch.

I saw this coming when you started this topic yesterday, just to hijack it.
Why do you do this?

 

[bbodb1]

I saw this coming when you started this topic yesterday, just to hijack it.
Why do you do this?

I'm going back to the OP for reference:

In a time when getting tourists back will be hard is the US trying to kill it off? More cases then any other country and more violence then most. It will be a while before I bring my family back. My sons are 7 and we have visited all over Florida a few times, Boston, New York, DC, Chicago, Vegas and LA. Our next trip is Hawaii for September but does not look promising. After that we were going to do Yellowstone and then a cruise to Alaska. Lots to see and visit but at the risk or being infected caught in the middle of a violent situation we will choose to stay away for the time being.

Events transpiring in many larger U.S. cities certainly are not a boon to tourism. If the value of our TS destinations (especially those in larger, urban areas) are negatively impacted, that is hitting close to home for all of us with a vested interest in timeshares. Protests are one thing but the tacit allowance of rioting and looting has to have made a negative impact with respect to many of our cities as desirable places to visit. We all need normalcy, law and order restored - and a creation that these trends are likely to continue - before tourism can return the the levels it was prior to all of this.

How many times have we (as a community) discussed the viability of visiting location Z decreasing because of the events transpiring there?
It hurts to see the U.S. enduring this, but it is a fact we have to face don't you think, @Conan ?

 

[Brett]

That’s a good point and probably a matter of perspective as well. In this age of instant information news outlets try to gin up revenue by only having the most sensationalist news and making it seem as if it is the norm. OTOH the fast news cycle means you can usually also find more local newspapers and channels to see what is actually happening on local level where you plan to visit.
I guess it boils down to being as informed as possible and your risk level.

yes, the US does indeed rank the highest in gun violence in developed countries.

But like the other poster said, if you "blend in" and go to national parks you will probably survive

 

[bbodb1]

yes, the US does indeed rank the highest in gun violence in developed countries.

But like the other poster said, if you "blend in" and go to national parks you will probably survive

As long as you don't climb things beyond your ability and / or wonder off the trail, you should be very safe.
.
.
...but carry bear spray!

 

[Monykalyn]

yes, the US does indeed rank the highest in gun violence in developed countries.

But like the other poster said, if you "blend in" and go to national parks you will probably survive

Eh-my mixed race sister, niece and her partner have managed to blend in in Missouri-and in St Louis without violence.
But my family is going to a national park this summer too
The "flyover" middle of the country often gets lost in the "glamour" of the coasts. Northwest Arkansas has absolutely stunning natural beauty and fishing and hiking - OTOH forget I said that . The badlands and National and state parks in South Dakota,Montana and Wyoming are stunning as well. Lake of the Ozarks (don't believe that a single snapshot of sensationalistic journalism is the ENITRE area) is gorgeous for outdoor recreation and plenty of quiet spots for boating/floating/camping.
As far as gun violence-yeah that is outrageous and horrible etc. If this country cared 1/10th as much and had as much social will to shut it down and fear as it does of Covid 19 we would be the SAFEST country in world.

 

[bbodb1]

..
But my family is going to a national park this summer too ...

Ooh, ooh! Which one (if I may ask)?

 

[Monykalyn]

Ooh, ooh! Which one (if I may ask)?

Badlands, Mount Rushmore and we will also go to Devils Tower. Plus South Dakota has some great state parks.