America's declining image is driving away tourists, according to the Discover America Partnership [3], an organization sponsored by the tourism industry. "We have lost nearly 60 million international travelers since 9/11 and the problem is only getting worse," said DAP Executive Director Geoff Freeman. "As travel around the world skyrockets, the U.S. is mired in a slump." Government figures show that overseas travel to the U.S. remains below pre-9/11 levels in six of the top eight overseas markets and fell further in 2006 in five out of the top eight overseas markets. A 2006 survey conducted by DAP found that many visitors are offended by the U.S. entry process, which subjects foreign visitors to fingerprinting, iris scans and other procedures that many find intrusive. The decline in tourism further feeds America's negative image, according to tourism industry executive Charles L. Merin, because "International travelers represent the opportunity to win the hearts and minds [4] of people around the world. When travelers don’t come here, they learn about America and Americans through headlines rather than personal experiences. As a nation, we must recognize that the people-to-people communication generated through travel is our greatest public diplomacy tool."