Targeting 100 Million Visitors
Trump and Top Travel Executives Discuss Strategies to Boost US Tourism Ahead of World Cup
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Key Points
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IHG Hotels & Resorts attended the White House meeting with travel industry leaders, expanding the lineup beyond the more frequently cited companies.
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American Airlines marked its centennial year and served as the Official North American Airline Supplier of FIFA World Cup 2026, underscoring its ties to the tournament-influenced travel push.
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AA CEO Robert Isom said demand for air travel remains strong and the carrier expects to carry more customers this year than at any point in its 100-year history; Labour Day weekend projections put AA at more than 3.5 million passengers across about 38,000 flights.
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In 2025, U.S. inbound visitors declined 5.5% to about 68.3 million, highlighting ongoing volatility in international travel despite the World Cup spotlight.
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Geoff Freeman, CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, urged sustained momentum and told President Trump that the U.S. could overtake France as the world's most visited country, aiming for 100 million international visitors by 2030, including the line, 'We can blow that out of the water. Let's get to 100 million.'
President Trump convened travel industry leaders at the White House to chart a path for boosting U.S. tourism, which slipped 5.5% in 2025 to about 68.3 million international visitors Travel Weekly. Executives from American Airlines, Marriott, Hilton, MGM Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, Carnival, and Booking Holdings pressed for sustained momentum ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which they view as a showcase opportunity to attract global travelers.
Industry leaders set an ambitious target: 100 million international visitors by 2030, aiming to overtake France as the world's most visited country Bilyonaryo. Geoff Freeman, CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, told Trump the nation could "blow that out of the water," crediting recent policy wins like shorter visa wait times and the One Stop Security program for faster international connections.
American Airlines Marks Centennial Amid Record Projections
American Airlines, which serves as the Official North American Airline Supplier for FIFA World Cup 2026, is riding high in its centennial year Travel Weekly. CEO Robert Isom reported strong demand for air travel, projecting the carrier will fly more customers in 2026 than any point in its 100-year history. For Labour Day weekend alone, AA expects to carry more than 3.5 million passengers across roughly 38,000 flights.
World Cup 2026 as Tourism Catalyst and Showcase Opportunity
The FIFA World Cup hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 2026 is reshaping U.S. travel strategy Free Malaysia Today. Officials view the tournament as a major platform to display America as a top global destination. The White House meeting underscored that World Cup momentum could help reverse the 2025 decline and drive the nation toward its 100 million visitor goal.
Policy Wins and Barriers to Recovery
Trump touted administration support for tourism, highlighting cuts to visa wait times and the One Stop Security program, which speeds processing for international travelers connecting through U.S. hubs Bilyonaryo. Yet some executives signaled they need Trump's direct involvement to hit the 100 million target. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FIFA World Cup task force director Andrew Giuliani attended, signaling coordinated federal effort behind the initiative.
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