U.S. Seen As 'Fortress America'

CBS News ^ | 12/18/02 | Ian Stewart

[hoosierskypilot]

(AP) Travel executives say the nation's $91 billion foreign tourism industry is in peril because of a growing perception overseas that the United States has become "Fortress America."

In the year after the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, 66 million fewer visitors tried to enter the United States, according to Immigration and Naturalization Service figures. And those who did try were sent back home at a higher rate than the year before.

Travel industry executives complain that the post-Sept. 11 security crackdown at airports - especially some widely publicized incidents in which visitors were searched, interrogated and put on a plane back home - has discouraged tourism.

"There is an impression being made that we are creating a Fortress America," said Rick Webster, a spokesman for the Travel Industry Association of America.

INS officials recognize the concerns but say their first priority is to secure all borders.

[panaxanax]

Again you prove yourself wrong.

It's not nit-picking, it's just showing the readers that you don't have a clue about the facts.

I think you're the one that learned a little history here, since you're quoting from the website that I posted to prove you wrong about Death Valley Scotty and 'his castle'.

Like I said before, you boring us.

Your Mother should limit your time on the computer.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Picky picky picky. OK, just for you we will call it Johnsons Castle. There, feel better?

An lay off the coffee for cripes sake.

[ffusco]

Born and raised on L.I. many summmers spent upstate, went to Pratt Instite in Brooklyn. You are right about NYC being a state all by itself. Not only politically but psychologically as well. I love NY, but live in Houston, Texas for the last 6 years.

[mrfixit514]

In the year after the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, 66 million fewer visitors tried to enter the United States, according to Immigration and Naturalization Service figures. And those who did try were sent back home at a higher rate than the year before.

GOOD!