Thousands of you have been reading my blog, and hundreds of you have written to me with your ideas. I am really excited about this new communication tool.
Thirty percent of our hits have come from readers outside of the United States, which shows the growing recognition of our global brands.
But, like others in the travel industry, we're all worried about some of the barriers to global travel. The world travel market is really growing fast. In fact, in the last several years, since the Berlin wall went down, there have been three billion more people that have come into the world's economy - especially from China, India and Eastern Europe.
But the U.S. share of the travel market continues to decline, even at a time when the dollar is weak and it's cheaper to come to America. In the last 13 years, the United States' share of international travel dropped by 35 percent, but the world travel and tourism market grew by 61 percent. There's a big, emerging middle class in China and India, and a rise in their disposable income.
It seems like there are a lot of factors that have contributed to why the United States is getting a smaller share of the market. First, I think, is the perception that America is not welcoming to foreign visitors. Second, of course, we have a negative image abroad. And third, the belief that obtaining a visa and traveling to the United States is an unfriendly and hassle-filled process.
We've learned that 70 percent of those people who apply for a visa don't get one. Forty percent just quit out of frustration with the process, and 30 percent are just plain rejected. Gosh, if you think about it, when you apply for a visa you have less than a 30 percent chance of getting one, so why would people go through all the trouble to apply? There are a lot of wonderful markets around the world that they can visit without having to go through all the trouble trying to line up to visit America.
The decline in market share has cost our economy an estimated $286 billion in lost revenue in the last 13 years. America is now third behind France and Spain as a travel destination. You know, we ought to be number one, not just for the great economic benefits but because people around the world love our country when they come to see it. They take the message home that America is truly a great country and a great place to visit. Perception, in many cases, becomes reality - and the only way for people to change their perception is to visit the United States and experience this great country. We are really a welcoming country with wonderful people and heartwarming stories that we really want to share with the world.
That's why Marriott is part of the Discover America Partnership with many other travel companies, because we all believe that our industry has a unique role in improving the United States' image and relationships around the world. January 31st our partnership is launching a strategy to get the U.S. back to number one.
That's how we keep the United States and Marriott on the move.
It is a great article. I have had the opportunity to be in the States some times, and what I can see as a "latina" is that the racism is a fact. As you mention getting a visa is a problem, you dont have to be so mean to be respected. People are afraid of the consuls. Getting a Visa to Mexico is as difficult as to the USA but Mexican's consuls are very friendly. Besides some american people think that every "latino" cross the river and that is very sad for such a great country.
Posted by: Cris | 10/24/2010 at 05:35 AM
I just wanna express how much I loved to work with Marriott (Marco Island) last summer in Florida as a trainee and now that is the topic of my diploma in connection with service profit chain model. I am really sad not being able to go back to work there again from Europe (Hungary) in lack of visa after graduation. Last summer was the best in my life. I always wanted to work in such an environment with such a great team and management I experienced.
Posted by: Anita Szabó | 05/14/2007 at 06:36 AM
Dear Sir
I read with interest your comments on boarder control and its effect on tourism. It is a difficult subject that government and businesses will struggle with for sometime to come. I last visited your country early in 2000 and again late in 2001. I found the people welcoming and the sights spectacular. The level of security on my second visit was a reassurance at a difficult time. At the end of the day, boarder control is a matter of balance. My home country is the UK, and I feel that in some ways we have not achieved the correct balance either. I my opinion we remain lax on the issue of security. But it was good to read your short article. I feel that your article is unheated and encourages balanced debate, this is the way forward on what is an emotion charged subject.
Posted by: Steve Spray | 02/05/2007 at 02:01 AM
We've traveled cross country several times and have realized that the best hotels that are clean, comfortable and safe are under the Marriott name. Thank you for that. We always enjoy your hospitality.
Last summer my husband and I went camping with our daughter, son-in-law and three little boys. All the guys loved it and had a ball. My daughter and I while we had fun weren't wild about an air mattress and sleeping bag on the ground deal. There were other concerns having to do with, snakes, bugs, and bears that I'm sure you are never concerned with. When we came home my husband asked if I'd like to go camping again soon. My response was Sure! I would LOVE to go camping again as long as it says Marriott's on the door Ha ha! Yesterday we took delivery on a brand new 18' travel trailer It's no real Marriott's of course, but has the basics. We name sailboats and want to name our travel (camping?) trailer as well. We aren't trying to copy you directly, or pretend to be one of your hotels. Because of my past comments, and just in fun I want to have The Marriott put on the door! Except, I'm thinking that could possibly be copyright infringement. We would like to do it, but don't want to embarrass you and most don't want to be sued by you! This is off the subject and I hope you don't consider it a stupid question but we would definitely like to avoid litigation. Thanks! Nancy Taylor
Posted by: Nancy Taylor | 02/01/2007 at 09:06 PM
As an aside, as a parent of a developmentally disabled 17 yrs. old son with high functioning autism, I was pleased to read in the Oct. 8th 2006 issue of PARADE Magazine that accomponies the Boston Sunday Globe that your company hires these individuals. Kindly tell me more about this program, as I am having difficulty findings openings at any of your facilities on the North Shore of Boston for my son. Thank you for the wonderful opportunities that you make available to wonderful, kind and hardworking individuals like my son, who are willing and eager to make a contribution to the working world.
Linda Zager
Posted by: L. E. Zager | 02/01/2007 at 06:35 AM
in response to Michael Adamat:
I would like to see what kind of silly actions your country would take to protect its citizens if the situation were reversed. You can't take a passive role as a country (sit back saying everything is not your problem)and condemn leaders who are pro active and take actions in the world arena and expect the same results.
Posted by: fluke watson | 02/01/2007 at 05:54 AM
America has to secure their borders. Everyone wants a piece of her, because when you succeeed you make the world news. It makes people feel good that they kicked the big guy's butt. Non Americans in general don't hate the American people, but just the policies of the USA. That should not be reason enough not to come visit the nation with probably the most beautiful natural landscape of any other country on earth, no matter how difficult it is to get a visa. It is important that non Americans work with their governments and establish a program where visits from their individual countries don't require a visa. It is a two way street. Don't blame it all on America.
Posted by: fluke watson | 02/01/2007 at 05:45 AM
This comment has nothing to do with this article but I just want to let you know that I came across your The SPIRIT OF SERVE book while I was staying in your download SF hotel. I have to say that your book inspired me a lot and I can't stop reading but actually finished the book. I will bring the borrow book back to your hotel room next time I visit Marriot again. Thanks
Posted by: Patrick | 02/01/2007 at 01:34 AM
You hit the nail on the head with this one. Absolutely accurate. I for one has no interest in visiting
Posted by: Kristofer | 01/31/2007 at 10:22 PM
I found your blog recently and thought "what a neat thing for Marriott to do". Now I am returning and am disapointed that I can not find the entry from a few days ago. I wish you had an "archive" listing the previous entries. Perhaps I shoudl have used "permalink" the other day? Search did not find the "history" entry. Also, perhaps I should have sent this comment to feedback@marriot.com, rather than you?
Posted by: Bridget | 01/31/2007 at 06:04 AM
Great job, your writing really helps give me an insight into Marriott and a reason to care! One quick -nit picking- observation. It's not 'hits' but page views that matter. Any given page can generate many 'hits' because a hit is anytime a file is downloded (a page may have many graphic files for example, and each graphic is a 'hit'). That's the reasonn page view is a much more useful measure of site performance. Hope this helps. Keep up the good work...I've always been a big fan of the Hot Shopes and Marriott.
Posted by: Pat Kellogg | 01/31/2007 at 02:20 AM
Don't wonder about the neagitve image of the US in the world. Which country treats every visitor like a criminal, including the registration of the fingerprints and taking a photo or having this silly no-fly list? In which country you can never be sure, if the INS officer lets you pass or not? Its the US. And I think you need to do a lot for it to save your countries image. Stopping these treatment (and welcome your visitors as guests) will help a lot.
Posted by: Michael Adamat | 01/31/2007 at 01:28 AM
Execellent article. I was born in Spain and left my lovely country for America when I was 18; I went to college there and now I've been working in Los Angeles for 3 years. Every year I have to apply for an extension on my green card, and sometimes I get tired of all the process. In the other side, America has to secure their borders and the inmigration coming from abroad, and probably being so hard in the visa applications is the only way.
Posted by: Ricardo | 01/31/2007 at 01:08 AM