The United States has rolled out a new fact-checking initiative, dubbed 'Get Facts. Get Going', in a bid to address what it calls 'misperceptions' among international travellers regarding American entry requirements. The platform, introduced by the US tourist board, aims to provide clear and accurate information to potential visitors.
This programme is part of a broader effort, alongside the 'American Originals' campaign, which expands the existing 'America the Beautiful' platform. The initiative delivers real-time updates on visa procedures, entry protocols, and pricing for national parks, seeking to streamline the travel planning process for foreigners.
Declining Visitor Numbers
The move comes in response to a notable downturn in tourism. According to research by the World Travel & Tourism Council, the US saw a 5.5 percent decline in visitor numbers in 2025 compared to the previous year. This drop has raised concerns within the industry, particularly as the country prepares to host the upcoming Fifa World Cup.
Hotel bookings for the tournament have fallen short of expectations. Surveys indicate that between 65 and 70 percent of respondents attribute this shortfall to visa barriers and broader geopolitical anxieties. These factors appear to be deterring potential attendees, casting a shadow over what was anticipated to be a major economic boost.
Promoting Openness
Despite these headwinds, US officials are keen to project an image of accessibility. The country is promoting itself as 'open for business', highlighting that Britons alone received over 1.2 million approvals for the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) between October last year and April. This statistic is intended to reassure travellers that entry processes are functioning smoothly.
The 'Get Facts. Get Going' platform is now live, offering a centralised resource for travellers to verify requirements and dispel myths. Whether this effort will reverse the downward trend remains to be seen, but it marks a strategic shift in how the US engages with the global tourism market.
