(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150730/250177LOGO )

Taking to the stage at the event's Strategy Summit, Scowsill warned that: "Strict visa policies and inward-looking sentiment led to a $600 billion loss in tourism revenues in the decade post 9/11, as previously reported by the US Travel Association, with a noted 9% drop in international arrivals in the period of 2001 - 2009.

"The Trump Administration is in danger of steering the country in the same direction, which could have a huge impact on the country's travel and tourism sector, which generates over 8% of the country's GDP and supports nearly 10% of total employment in the US."

Airlines, hotels and travel agencies are all reporting drops in international bookings to the US, following the Executive Order banning visitors from seven countries to enter the country. This is the unintended consequence of the ban announcement, with business and leisure customers from around the world holding back on their travel plans.

Scowsill spoke directly at the Administration during his speech, offering five pieces of advice to the President's advisors:

"For the President who has promised to create jobs and to make America great again, travel and tourism seems the most obvious answer. After all, the livelihood of millions of Americans depends on people being able to use planes, trains and automobiles to spend their tourist dollars.

"Travel and tourism thrives by breaking down barriers, not building them; by making it easier for people to travel, not applying blanket bans. Our sector bridges divides between cultures, fosters understanding across religious and geographic boundaries. It is a massive generator of jobs and economic growth," Scowsill concluded.

More information about Routes Americas can be found at routesonline.com

Routes Americas 2017, 14-16 February, ARIA Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada.

For further information contact: Karen Reeves Communications & Content Marketing Manager Routes, UBM EMEA T: +44 (0)161 234 2721 M: +44 (0)796 6405 105 E: Karen.Reeves@ubm.com

SOURCE Routes

The rest is here:

"Closing Borders Risks Jobs," World Travel & Tourism Council Warns US Administration at Routes Americas - PR Newswire (press release)