The Obama factor will lead to an increase in the number of Britons travelling to America next year, a Foreign Office survey released today predicts.
The Obama factor will lead to an increase in the number of Britons travelling to America next year, a Foreign Office survey released today predicts.
Barack Obama's election as US president has inspired 13% more Britons to visit the US next year, according to the study, conducted in co-operation with UK travel body Abta.
The historic significance of the election, cheap fuel prices and a low cost of living are likely to outweigh the fact that the pound has fallen against the dollar, the survey showed.
Already, the Obama factor is being calculated, with Visit USA expecting that 2009 will surpass the previous best of 4.7 million British visitors in 2000 and bring back pre-9/11 levels on a permanent basis.
It could even compete with Homecoming 2009, the Scottish Government's celebration of the 250th anniversary of Burns's birth, which is aiming to bring ex-pats and new visitors to Scotland.
A spokesman for Visit USA said that with "the eyes of the media on all corners of the US, people have seen that there is more to the country than Florida, California, Las Vegas, and New York".
A separate poll found 80% of respondents were more likely to go to the US than before the election. The Travel Industry Association of America said it was thought previous concerns over unfriendly customs officials would diminish with a general change of attitude in the US.
The President Elect has also backed the Travel Promotion Act, introduced to halt the decline in overseas visitors.
The Obama trail for visitors could include his birthplace of Honolulu; his school at Panahou, Hawaii; his house in Kenwood, Chicago; Occidental College, Los Angeles; Columbia University; Harvard Law School; and the White House.
Mr Obama was born to a white American mother and a Kenyan father. Kogelo, the African village where his father was born, is also now included in an African tour specialist's destination list.
Both America and Kenya feature in the survey as destinations where the number of Britons getting married is set to rise, as does Sri Lanka.
Based on responses from 2018 UK adults, the survey found that other countries outside the eurozone, such as Turkey, Egypt, and Mexico, will see a significant increase in British visitors in 2009.
Other likely hotspots include Poland, Croatia, Iceland, Israel and Cuba - but 41% who plan to go abroad in 2009 will cut the number of holidays they take in the year ahead.
The survey also found last-minute bargains may be in short supply and predicted a rise in those going on camping or caravanning holidays. There will also be an increase in the number of people holidaying at the homes of family or friends.
Frances Tuke from Abta said: "Over the past few years we have seen travellers becoming more adventurous and travelling further afield. This will continue in 2009 as non-eurozone countries will offer very good value for money - often at very high standards.
"But when travelling to these destinations, it is very important to check Foreign Office advice and ensure you make sure you see a health professional who will recommend what vaccinations you may need and what precautions you should take."
Julian Braithwaite, director of consular services at the Foreign Office, said: "Many of the changes that we'll see taking place across the travel industry over the next year will have a direct impact on the welfare of British holidaymakers."
