Is the US unsafe and unwelcoming? Trump’s Australia-born tourism chief addresses ‘myths’

Donald Trump’s former pick for ambassador to Malaysia takes the helm of an ambitious US travel recovery effort

“America is open, America is ready for you. We want you to come”.

The United States’ new tourism chief, Nick Adams, boldly delivered the invitation at last week’s IPW Fort Lauderdale inbound travel trade show in Florida.

“We can protect our borders and open our doors at the same time,” he insisted. “We want you to have a great vacation. There is no country like America on Earth.”

Australian-born Adams, who obtained US citizenship in 2021, was appointed in March to the newly created position of special presidential envoy for American tourism, exceptionalism and values. US President Donald Trump had lauded the conservative commentator as an “incredible patriot” when he initially nominated Adams as US ambassador to Malaysia – a diplomatic posting that ultimately fell through.

“The United States had never had the global equivalent of a [dedicated travel minister]; the only country in the G20. So tourism had never been represented at the presidential or White House level,” Adams said.

“All of that changed when President Trump appointed me as his special presidential envoy for tourism. So, I’m very excited. It is a huge role”.