US plans tourism drive

The US is preparing to launch a concerted effort to bring more tourists to the country.

Officials in the country believe that a major drive to encourage travellers to the US could be the best way to improve its world standing.

The nation's standing among the public has fallen in recent years, with many people who are traditionally supportive of the country turning their back on it.

According to figures from the recent Pew Global Attitude Survey, there has been a massive dip in the number of tourists heading to the US over the past 15 years.

The statistics reveal a 36 per cent drop in the number of people visiting the country in the last 15 years, with traditionally strong supporters such as the UK and Japan seeing a fall in the number of people travelling to the US.

Speaking to a commission on public diplomacy, Roger Dow, president of the US Travel Industry Association, commented: "Research documents the 'perception boost' that occurs when someone visits the United States and experiences our nation first-hand."