20.05.2026
End of a success story after 42 years

The Visit USA Committee was founded in the ealy years of the first Reagan Administration in response to the"cheap" USD vs. the CHF which made the US suddenly affordable to the average income class of the Swiss.  The founding members, besides the US Embassy, included the top brass of most major Swiss TO's, airlines and other service providers such as hotels, car rentals etc. Main goal was to provide the industry with a cost effective networking platform for both, US destinations and local travel agencies/TO's. The program got known, in particular, for its main event called "Visit USA Seminar".  The Visit USA Seminar featured an exhibit for individual meetings (US/local TO's) educational and information workshops. In most cases the attendees were welcomed by the US Ambassador who gave the opening speech. During the boom years attendance topped some 1'000 travel professionals which had to be split-up in two groups over two days.

Travel to the US grew from a modest 20'000 to nearly half a million for a period of several decades.  The high purchasing power made Swiss visitors particularly attractive as destinations such as NYC and Miami soon discovered.

The format of the Visit USA Seminar was changed with a focus on education by means of a large number of workshops in small groups and got the new name of "USA Island Hopping". The change, as per 2020, was welcomed particularly by destination partners which were looking for a means to get more exposure. 

The suddden end of the Committee's activities was met by a wave a regret and misunderstanding.  Cudos to Chairman Heinz Zimmermann for his personal efforts to keep the Committee going!  The economic facts, however, made it inevitable 

Go back to the homepage