U.S. Travel Association Applauds Congress for Action on Visa Reform

U.S. Travel Association Applauds Congress for Action on Visa Reform
By George Dooley

The U.S. Travel Association claimed significant victories for the U.S. visa system and traveler facilitation reforms in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012, approved late last week.The legislation reflects 2011 advocacy efforts by the U.S. Travel Association to improve the U.S. economy, remove barriers to travel and improve the travel process.

The Act mirrors a number of recommendation put forth by the U.S. Travel Association in a May 2011 report on the U.S. visa system. That report identified visa wait times, visa validity periods and videoconferencing technology as keys to improving a system that cannot meet demand in emerging economies with growing markets of international travelers, U.S. Travel said.

In 2012, the U.S. Travel Association said it will pursue policies on behalf of the travel industry, many of which will create much-needed U.S. jobs and improve the economy. These include legislative vehicles for additional visa system reform, expanding the Visa Waiver Program, enhancing the entry process at ports of entry, and improving the efficiency of the U.S. air travel system.