President Barack Obama is aiming to draw an additional 30 million inbound tourists to the US each year using national visitor attractions. He made the statement during a recent visit to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

Last year, 70 million inbound tourists visited the US, according to the White House, spending a record US$180.7bn (€132.7bn, £107.5bn) on hotels, restaurants and other services.

The President said both the US economy and local businesses will benefit economically, if the government can make it easier for people from other countries to visit.

The initiative aims to boost inbound tourist numbers to 100 million by the end of 2021.

Improvements to entry processes will cut wait times, while six government agencies will work with the public-private partnership Brand USA to launch advertising campaigns in 10 international markets touting the best US attractions.