Maine Governor Janet Mills

At the NGA Summer Meeting 2022 held in Portland, ME USTA EVP/Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes moderated a panel discussion with tourism industry reps including:

• Longwoods International President/CEO Amir Eylon
• Visit Baltimore President/CEO Al Hutchinson
• MOTT Executive Director Keiko Matsudo Orrall
• Brand USA President/CEO Chris Thompson

Some points that emerged:

• US tourism continues to recover from a significant downturn in 2020-2022 due to COVID-19.
• The industry will likely not recover to 2019 levels before 2025.
• Panelists are seeing positive trends including increased consumer demand for travel and the return and creation of travel jobs.
• Inflation, high gasoline prices and air-travel complications have largely replaced consumer concerns about COVID-19 safety.
• Shortage of worker housing is adversely impacting tourism in some states including ME, MA and NH.
• The 13 US states bordering Canada face a unique challenge of reduced staffing at border crossings that makes it harder for Canadians to enter the US.