TripAdvisor boss Steve Kaufer condemns Trump travel ban as ‘heartless and discriminatory’

The boss of TripAdvisor has added his voice to industry condemnation of US president Donald Trump’s travel ban from seven mainly Muslim countries. Continue reading →

The boss of TripAdvisor has added his voice to industry condemnation of US president Donald Trump’s travel ban from seven mainly Muslim countries.

The online travel giant’s CEO Steve Kaufer condemned the new president’s executive order as “heartless and discriminatory”.

The TripAdvisor boss said: “We are experiencing the worst global humanitarian crises of our time, and we are against this executive order not just because we are a global business with a diverse workforce, but because we are human beings and citizens who respect and love the fabric of our nation.

“The United States is a place where the majority of our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents came as immigrants, settled and made a home.

“Many of us had families that had to flee their countries, restart their lives here with nearly nothing as refugees, and work extraordinarily hard to make a better life for their children. It is unacceptable that our country is now shutting its doors to people in dire need.”

He added: “Governments need to do more, not less, to allow these people into their countries to work and contribute to their economy and communities.

“Lives are at stake. Refugees who come to the United States are the most vulnerable. These are human beings – families, individuals, people just like you and me. Except, unlike you and me, horrific circumstances like war or persecution have forced them to flee their homes. Not able to return, probably for many years even though they want to. We should not turn them away.”

TripAdvisor has already committed $5 million over the next three years to aid the global refugee crisis.

Kaufer said: “TripAdvisor’s efforts to support refugee resettlement around the world, and in the United States, will continue.

“Our support of the International Rescue Committee and Mercy Corps and other NGOs supporting refugee resettlement globally will continue.

“And we will continue as a company to work to resolve the refugee crisis with international and domestic partners that share our values and beliefs.”