FSN Packages Feed: US implements visa changes, woos Chinese tourists

The US government is working to implement new rules governing visa-free travel to the United States.

Lawmakers in Washington recently passed a law shaking up the 'Visa Waiver Program' that, since the 1980s, has allowed citizens of 38 countries to travel to the US without a visa.

The new legislation now prevents those who've traveled to certain countries - including Iraq and Syria - from taking part in the program.

But as Steve Mort reports, experts say the US is now focusing greater attention on attracting tourists from newer markets, such as China.

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A daily parade winds through Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom theme park in Florida.

Disney World is one Florida's largest employers and one of the reasons the state attracted nearly 12 million visitors in 2014.

The tourism industry pumps more than 70 billion dollars in Florida's economy every year.

INSERT: Professor Youcheng Wang - Associate Dean, Rosen College of Hospitality Management, University of Central Florida

"We have close to one million visitors every year from the UK, we have a lot of visitors from Germany and France."

Professor Youcheng Wang is an Associate Dean at The University of Central Florida's Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

He recently hosted a summit to promote the tourism business ties between the US and China.

While he says China is the world's largest tourism market, those traveling to the US under the Visa Waiver Program still outnumber Chinese tourists.

INSERT: Professor Youcheng Wang - Associate Dean, Rosen College of Hospitality Management, University of Central Florida

"There are roughly 38 countries in that program. That program probably generates 20 million visitors. And the economic impact is probably about 190 billion US dollars, which is huge."

But US lawmakers say they're are concerned terrorists holding European passports could enter the US visa-free to carry out attacks.

The new rules mean people who've traveled to Iraq and Syria within the previous five years will need to obtain a visa from a US embassy. As will people who hold dual nationality with Iraq, Syria, Iran, or Sudan

The shake-up also makes it easier for countries to be removed from the Visa Waiver Program altogether.

Professor Wang says the impact of the overhaul is being watched closely by business leaders.

INSERT: Professor Youcheng Wang - Associate Dean, Rosen College of Hospitality Management, University of Central Florida

"Because this policy, from a long-term perspective, will effect the tourism industry."

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At Miami International Airport, some visitors entering the country say they're concerned about the moves. Rogelio Aguilo is a citizen of Spain - one of the countries in the Visa Waiver Program.

INSERT: Rogelio Aguilo - Visa Waiver Program visitor (Spanish w/ English translation)

"It would definitely complicate the entry/admission process to the United States and I think it will also affect // the amount of tourism coming in."

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Waiting in the arrivals area for a group of Scandinavian tourists is Eki Mikkonen who runs a tour group in Florida.

INSERT: Eki Mikkonen - Managing Director, TIA Tours International America

"Now if they have to apply for a visa it's much more difficult of course // that is going backward I think."

Industry analysts say while the changes won't impact the process for the vast majority of tourists, they might still cause a decline in visitor numbers.

Professor Youcheng Wang says the reforms could impact the number of visitors from not only visa-waiver countries, but also other places such as China.

INSERT: Professor Youcheng Wang - Associate Dean, Rosen College of Hospitality Management, University of Central Florida

"The perception is the key. Because that is what generates perceptions among people - particularly visitors who are interested in coming to visit the United States - that this is maybe not a very welcoming message."

But in contrast, the US and China recently extended the validity of tourist visas offered to each others' citizens.

Industry experts say that's a sign of the increasing long-term importance of Chinese visitors, who in 2014 accounted for the fifth largest number of US arrivals.

The number of tourists from the 38 visa-waiver countries is expected to outnumber Chinese visitors for sometime.

But after nearly a decade of double-digit growth, China already accounts for the second largest chunk of US visitor spending at 24 billion dollars. And that's a trend that tourist leaders hope will continue.

Monday, January 11, 2016

US implements visa changes, woos Chinese tourists