There is statistical evidence to support the argument. Direct from the 2007 inbound travel report from the ITA Office of Travel & Tourism for the United States.
Top 10 Countries of Origin (in order):
Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, France, South Korea, Australia, Brazil, & Italy.
Top 10 US cities of entry (in order):
New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Honolulu, San Francisco, Chicago, Orlando, Atlanta, Washington DC, & Boston.
Because of major airline hubs, I realize that some of these cities are probably more ports of entry that final destinations: Atlanta comes to mind. But, I'm willing to wager that the city of entry is the final destination for most international visitors.
I admit that it is a pet peeve for me. It's because I live in the central part of the United States. The part known as "fly-over country".
It is frustrating to be a traveler who loves to visit other countries and loves nothing more than to have visitors from other countries visit my town. But, getting people interested in visiting my part of the country is an uphill battle. HECK, most Americans who live on either coast aren't interested in visiting St. Louis, so why should someone from London, Toyko, Berlin, Paris, Soeul, Sidney, Rio or Rome be any different?
I don't have an answer. I just feel better getting it off my chest.
