Travel Leaders at WTTC Global Summit Pledge to Tackle Visa-Entry

The leaders of the travel and tourism industry attending the 12th Global Summit of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) in Tokyo this week, have committed to work together to have governments improve visa-entry procedures and systems in order to stimulate travel demand and create jobs.

By taking this action, the leaders from different sectors of the industry and regions agreed to speak with one voice to governments around the world compelling them to find better ways to balance the needs of sovereign security and the capacity of tourism to generate economic growth.

Led by a core group on stage and supported by senior members of the industry from within the audience, the WTTC Global Summit identified restrictive visa policies as a critical impediment to the growth of Travel & Tourism around the world. The travel and tourism industry today represents as much as 9 percent of global GDP and employs 255 million people worldwide.

As such, encouraging governments to take steps to improve visa procedures as an effective means to increase the flow of travelers and thus wealth was identified as a priority focus for the newly-formed Travel Association Coalition, a collaboration between global tourism bodies to co-ordinate messaging and activities across the different tourism sectors.

WTTC and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) have engaged in a study on the impact of visa facilitation on job creation across the G20 countries. That study will provide the data needed to press the arguments for action.

This will be presented at the forthcoming May meeting of the Tourism Ministers of the G20 (Merida, Mexico) and will be used to provide input into the G20 world leaders meeting in Los Cabos, Mexico, in June as they look for alternatives to stimulate the economy and create jobs.