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April 26, 2011 – Last week, Bureau of Consular Affairs assistant secretary Janice Jacobs, in a brief visit to Australia, had addressed concerns that an “inefficient” visa process was limiting tourism.
Secretary Jacobs said that the country has a 20 year plan to improve the system, particularly as it impacts arrivals from BRIC countries.
Ms. Jacobs told e-Travel Blackboard that they are trying to be as efficient as they can be.
Secretary Jacobs added that “they know that in China, India, and Brazil they are going to need more people and more focus and the welcome mat is definitely out.”
Secretary Jacobs stated that people were starting to understand the money behind getting the visitor arrivals to increase provided that tourism into the USA accounts for 8.2 million jobs and brings USD1.3 trillion into the country’s economy.
Nevertheless, according to Secretary Jacobs, given that the laws governing how these arrivals apply for entry were passed in a post 9/11 world, Secretary Jacobs would need to change those laws if some of the discretion before that time should need to be gotten back.
The US Travel Association has made claims, regardless of 6.4 million non-immigrant visas issued last year, that the USA’s visa system is putting a barrier to growing tourism into the country.
US Travel Association president Roger told a congress subcommittee on Competitiveness, Innovation & Export Control that promoting America as an enviable travel destination and streamlining the immigration clearance process will not result to higher visitation if travelers are unable to obtain a required US visitor’s visa.
The current visa process is “highly uncertain, lengthy and costly”, according to Mr. Dow.
In the meantime, last month Senator Tina Rose Muña Barnes, the chair of Guam Legislature’s Committee on Tourism, together with Governor Eddie Calvo and Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo, petitioned to have China and Russia included in the US Visa Waiver program for Guam.
Ms. Barnes stated that with a nearly 30 per cent dive in visitor arrivals from Japan expected in the short-term, a China Russia Visa Waiver Program is vital to the US’ economy and is the surest way to keep the economy strong.
Among the countries included in the Visa Waiver Program are Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. The nationals of these countries must have to pass the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) before being granted entry into the United States.

Source:
etravelblackboard.com