Obama Seeks Bigger US Share of International Tourism

 　　President Barack Obama wants to make it easier for tourists from around the world to visit the United States. The president made the announcement on Thursday at one of America’s leading tourist destinations.

　　“I want America to be the top tourist destination in the world,” said President Obama.

　　He went to Florida’s Walt Disney World resort to announce a series of initiatives designed to make it easier for international visitors to enter the United States.

　　World travelers complain that with increased security after the 2001 terror attacks on New York and Washington, entering the United States has become more difficult, unpleasant and time-consuming.

　　Many of those frustrated¹ tourists stopped coming. White House officials say the U.S. share of the global travel market fell by more than 30 percent between 2000 and 2010.

　　To reverse that trend, the president is expanding the Global Entry Program, which he said protects America’s borders and makes life easier for frequent visitors who qualify.

　　“Instead of going through long lines at immigration, we can scan your passport [and] your fingerprints², and you are on your way,” said Obama.

　　Tourism is big business in the United States. The president said that in 2010, 60 million people visited America and spent $134 billion.

　　Obama is calling on his secretaries of Commerce and Interior to develop a strategy to market U.S. tourist destinations overseas and increase those numbers.

　　“So that is what this is all about - telling the world that America is open for business, making it as safe and as simple as possible to visit, helping³ our businesses all across the country grow and create jobs,” said the president.

　　The administration estimates that 1.2 million U.S. jobs are generated by international tourism. Industry officials say increasing America’s share of the global tourism business could create another million jobs in 10 years.

　　Obama says much of that growth could come from just a few countries.

　　“Countries with rapidly growing economies, huge populations and emerging middle classes. Countries like China and India. And especially important here in Florida, Brazil,” he said.

　　The president has ordered the number of U.S. tourist visas processed in China and Brazil increased by 40 percent this year. And worldwide, he wants applicants⁴ for tourist visas interviewed sooner.

　　Obama’s appearance at Disney World promoted his main campaign message of creating middle-class jobs. Florida, the fourth most populous⁵ U.S. state, holds its Republican Party presidential primary on January 31. It is expected to be one of the main battleground states in the November general elections.

1 frustrated   

adj.挫败的，失意的，泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的过去式和过去分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧

参考例句：

• It's very easy to get frustrated in this job. 这个工作很容易令人懊恼。
• The bad weather frustrated all our hopes of going out. 恶劣的天气破坏了我们出行的愿望。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 fingerprints   

n.指纹( fingerprint的名词复数 )v.指纹( fingerprint的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Everyone's fingerprints are unique. 每个人的指纹都是独一无二的。
• They wore gloves so as not to leave any fingerprints behind (them). 他们戴着手套，以免留下指纹。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

4 applicants   

申请人，求职人( applicant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• There were over 500 applicants for the job. 有500多人申请这份工作。
• He was impressed by the high calibre of applicants for the job. 求职人员出色的能力给他留下了深刻印象。

5 populous   

adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的

参考例句：

• London is the most populous area of Britain.伦敦是英国人口最稠密的地区。
• China is the most populous developing country in the world.中国是世界上人口最多的发展中国家。