Image copyright VIA SUES PAULI / AFP Image caption The US still has an image problem in Italy
After Donald Trump said he would close the US border to illegal immigration, doubts were raised whether foreign tourists would visit US attractions.
But a survey on US tourism to Italy in September found that two thirds of those polled said they still planned to visit.
German tourists, however, held more reservations.
The Trump administration said it was imposing new “tourism tariffs” to recoup US government costs caused by violent drug cartels, and protect US jobs.
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Yahoo News reports, the US Chamber of Commerce is now hoping to harness the goodwill resulting from the US reopening its borders.
Now its US Tourist Support, supported by hotel chains Hilton, Marriott and Starwood, says it will help to raise awareness among overseas tourists of US tourism attractions.
The organisation told Yahoo News: “The tourism industry welcomes these tariffs and believes they are an incentive to help grow the US tourism industry.”
Recalcitrant tourists?
So will Americans being big fans of Milan Fashion Week boost US visitor numbers?
Juggernaut tour operators, among them a number of US companies, are also reportedly lining up to take advantage of the new tariffs.
But according to Devex , Ferrari dealerships and Madame Tussauds are unlikely to welcome U.S tourists as aggressively as, say, Italian motoring museums.
Image copyright VIA SUES PAULI / AFP Image caption Yes, they’re both in Italy
In Switzerland, which is known as a tax haven, American tourists face a total 20% surcharge on the price of their hotel rooms.
And in China, where visitors are increasingly worried about counterfeit goods and possible online scams, the fines can be increased to 100,000 yuan ($14,100/£11,000).