EU ‘losing €500m a year from foreign tourists’
Countries in the European Union are missing out on more than €500 million a year in income from tourists because it takes them too long to process visa applications, according to a new study by the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA).
It found that in China alone, 30% of those planning to visit the UK give up on the application process.
New guidelines for processing Schengen Visas, which allow the holder to visit 15 European countries, were issued in April to speed up the process, but ETAO says its study over the summer proved that significant problems remain. These also affect such non-Schengen countries as the UK and Ireland, it said.
In a statement, ETOA added: "Consulates pride themselves on discovering applicants who are deemed not fit to travel. Not recorded is the large number of potential visitors who do not travel because the visa application process is too time-consuming.
"Despite the fact that China has been singled out as the most important growth market for Europe, 26% of all potential clients give up on the application process for Schengen Visas. This number climbs to 30% for the UK."
Further findings of the survey, including which consular authorities rate best and worst and how obstacles can be improved will be discussed at an ETOA seminar in Brussels on October 12.
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
All eyes on Qatar as Qatar Airways leads a season of global events