Donald Trump's perceived "anti welcome sentiment" is thought to have prompted a dramatic drop in US tourism. Mobile app Foursquare reports that, from October 2016 to March, traffic-related to tourism dropped 11 percent, while rising globally by six percent during the same time period.
The study was compiled using information from 13 million users. In March this year, there were 16 percent less people travelling to the country than last year. The analysis looked at foot traffic associated with leisure and business.
The data echoes Adobe's recent study, who reported similar findings. Los Angeles and San Diego were among the hardest hit by the tourism drop. Ernest Wooden Jr., president and chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, blamed Trump's Muslim ban for the decline.
"Los Angeles has experienced six consecutive years of record-breaking tourism growth, but recent data shows that a perceived 'anti-welcome' sentiment appears to be taking a toll in key international markets," he said. "Since travellers are thinking twice and we have a clear business problem on our hands, we're spreading the message that Los Angeles is open for business and that visitors from around the world are welcome to Los Angeles, one of the most diverse U.S. cites."