It is Election Day in the USA. The presidential and congressional elections in the United States of America are on a knife’s edge according to every news source and political poll filling my news feed. I am very fortunate to be a guest of The Ambassador of the United States of America to Ireland, Claire D. Cronin at the US Embassy Dublin’s Presidential Election Watch Party 2024.
U.S Ambassador to Ireland, Claire D. Cronin
Ambassador Croinin addressed the crowd, “Welcome to the Guinness Storehouse, everybody, this is a big night – the night we’ve all been waiting for – the U.S. elections. I’m so delighted to have you all here. I’m losing, my voice chatting too much…
We’re all waiting for the outcome of this election. I don’t think we will have anything final tonight before we go. I’m pretty much going to say that for sure but if I did have to make one prediction tonight, people have been asking me, what is your projection? And I will tell you what it is. I predict regardless of how the selection goes, the US Ireland, relationship will remain strong.”
History in the Making…
I stepped off the plane from WTM earlier today and made my way straight to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin 8. I have been up since 3.30 am and this “Watch Party” will continue till 1.00 am tomorrow and I wouldn’t miss it for anything. At home, various news channels are on the television and laptops so nothing is missed and I’d be there glued to the screen if I wasn’t here.
Fred Dixon – USA Remains the Top Choice among consumers
I’m reminded of what Fred Dixon (President & CEO of Brand USA) said in his opening address at Brand USA Travel Week UK and Europe 2024. We were a fortnight away from this day, 5th of November and speaking about the travel landscape, Fred Dixon shared:
“We are two weeks away from a major election …and we know that our partners here in the market have just come through major elections in the UK and France and Germany and guess what? People have not stopped travelling. As you’re about to see one thing continues to hold true, people value experiences today. And the data shows, the USA Remains the Top Choice among consumers. And we look forward to working with the next administration and Congress to continue to advantage this work.”
United States of America has such diversity
In terms of our travel industry, whichever way this election falls, we will continue to travel to the USA, to the states that each have their own identity and personality, attractions and heartbeat. This is what makes America what it is and not just the big cities we grew up with on the screen, that we admired from afar till we were able to venture across the pond but also the little towns, the small businesses, the local neighbourhoods and the people from every background and every walk of life. I’ve had incredible adventures and experiences on my travels from Texas to Boston, Ohio, to Florida, New York to New Jersey, Colorado to Rhode Island… All are completely different and there isn’t a single place I wouldn’t happily return.
4th of July celebrations in the US Ambassador’s residence
I think back to the 4th of July celebrations in the US Ambassador’s residence in the Phoenix Park where Ambassador Croinin said to the crowd:
“In difficult times, we are even more grateful for the steadfast relationships we have with our close friends and partners. We agree more than we disagree and resilient democracies require conversation, respectful arguments and passionate citizens.”
This is what we all want and hope for and is true for life as it is true for politics.
