Interview: William Norman
While understandably supporting anti-terrorism efforts, the president of The Travel Industry Association of America cites waning international tourist activity, and is urging the US government to take several actions to improve international travel policies. “Protecting America and providing jobs must remain priorities for Congress and the Administration. These goals are not mutually exclusive,” William S. Norman, president and CEO of TIA, told the House Committee on Small Business. “The international community should be aware of these new regulations and how their clients can cope with them. We want to get the word out,” Mr Norman told TravelMole. He said in 2002, international and business travel to the US generated 42 million visitors who spent $3.5 billion. But recently, the number of visitors has been declining. “The decline in travel is due to a variety of reasons, including fear of travel because of terrorism, a downturn in the global economy and confusion over new US visa and border security procedures,” according to Mr Norman. He pointed out that under new security measures, it takes longer to process non-immigrant visa applications at many consulates. A rule saying the State Department has to personally interview virtually all non-immigrant visa applicants has led a “longer, more frustrating visa application process.” Despite those requirements, Mr Norman argued, the State Department has not added sufficient manpower to speed up the process. “Longer waits for visas will only cause international visitors to chose other destinations for travel where the actual or perceived barriers are fewer, and where they believe their business is welcome,” he said. He added that TIA is urging the US government to take three specific actions: –The State Department should revise the interim rule on interviews for visa applications. The number of applicants has been raised to 90% or more. “However, State lacks the personnel or space to met the demands of this new requirement,” Mr. Norman said. —The State Department should also put off a proposed raising of the visa application fee in 2004. “Raising the fee again will make the US that much less attractive when compared with competing international destinations that do not require visas,” he said. —Congress should immediately introduce and pass legislation that would postpone the deadline for using biometrics in the Visa Waiver Program passports by two years. He said that would give the State Department time to prepare for the proposed biometric passports that are supposed to be in use by the end of 2004. These requirements are intended to ensure passport holders are who they claim to be. Overseas travel is already down 32% over the past two years, Mr Norman said. “Forcing Visa Waiver Program travelers to get visas will deal a crippling blow to the an already ailing travel industry,” he said.
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