How will travel change in an era when Trump is POTUS?
I’m having a bad day. No, I’m having a horrible day. My laundry is in my laundry room, but the machine to add money to the card is not working. My mother is in the hospital and her condition has declined rather horrifically. And Donald Trump was just elected the next President of the United States.
As Rachel Maddow said last night “You’re awake by the way. You’re not having a terrible, terrible dream. Also, you’re not dead and you haven’t gone to hell.” “This is your life now.”
And so it is. And so it will be.
The question is, how will the future of the travel industry and travel loyalty be affected by the incoming presidency? We know that the financial markets have taken a hit, but we don’t know if the hit was due to the insecurity of the election and it will jump back or whether a further decline is on the way. Personally, I know I plan to have a talk with my financial adviser very soon.
I have a lot of questions or thoughts on the future of travel and the travel industry. Maybe it will be sunny and bright, who knows. I suspect many of us didn’t have much sleep last night, so a lot of thoughts are just beginning to be formulated.
Do you think that there will be a change in the attitude of people towards travel and/or the travel industry in the future because of the change of President and administration, and if so what changes do you envision?
I would think that a lot obviously depends on whether this next administration promotes travel and the travel industry or whether it builds walls and other obstacles to travel.
Will foreign travelers visit the United States, and will US citizens be welcome to travel to foreign countries?
Certainly, I can envision other countries removing the welcome mat for US travelers, if their citizens are not welcomed by the United States.
Obviously financial situations will drive or stall leisure travel, as will the strength or weakness of the US Dollar.
Will it be as easy to travel internationally as before? Will new Visa requirements be imposed, or old ones not lifted?
Will the price of airfare and/or hotels increase or decrease?
Will there be more domestic travel?
And what about loyalty programs? Many airlines and hotel brands have become increasingly stringent in the loyalty department – increasing revenue requirements and decreasing services. But will this continue?
If travel declines, will the brands move back towards more lenient requirements for attaining status?
Will there be more and better hotel and/or airline promotions?
Will there be a shift toward the lower end hotels rather than the luxury expensive hotels?
And what about credit cards, including promotions and sign on bonuses, as well as co-branded credit cards – will there be a change?
Maybe there will be no changes at all – what do you think?
Any and all thoughts are welcomed – but please keep it confined to the travel topic.
A New York frequent flyer who elegantly combines her passions for worldwide travel, running a gazillion marathons all over the globe and staying fit ... without sacrificing her fancy for good wine and food.
I’m curious about future travel to Cuba. I don’t see the Congress opening it up further, and I hope the new President doesn’t restrict it back to pre-Obama levels.
I think Americans will be respected once again and travel will not change much, if any at all.
I belive as an American we already have a questionable reputation in the world and yes! The welcome mat will be removed and will be replaced with a target.
I think I’ll have to start traveling with a Canadian passport cover and a maple leaf luggage tag, which was common during the Bush years.
As a traveler, we carry the burden and privilege of being ambassadors for the USA to everyone we meet. That will be more difficult now.
we will now be respected and not bow down to foreign countries!!!!! and maybe will not have our taxes raised so we can afford to travel ..