The U.S. is losing valuable revenue as well as seriously damaging its global image because of its surly immigration officials and inordinate delays in visa processes.
A survey conducted by RT Strategies, a Virginia-based polling firm studied 2011 frequent international travelers across 16 countries and found that US was designated 'worst' for issuance of visas and in immigration procedures.
The survey was commissioned by Discover America Partnership, a recently launched group that is backed by an impressive array of corporate entities: InterContinental Hotels Group, Anheuser Busch and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts among others.
While actively pushing for a beeter system in dealing with visitor queries and granting of visas, Discover America Partnership revealed study findings that seem quite damaging. Global travelers, according to the survey perceive US as the least cooperative in granting visas and this is further impaired due to unfriendly immigration officials. Next on the list of unfriendly countries is the Middle East and Asian subcontinent.
While a majority of travelers termed US immigration officials as rude, other travelers expressed apprehension that they would be held back for elementary errors in paperwork or not replying correctly to the immigration official.
With the US business community getting worried about the dip in the number of foreigners landing on US shores, the survey taken between October 25 and Nov 9 has come at the right time.
"Between 2000 and 2006, the number of overseas visitors, excluding those from Mexico and Canada, has declined by 17 percent," said Geoff Freeman, executive director of the Discover America Partnership, "and business travel in that period has dropped 10 percent."
This is going to hit the US where it hurts most i.e. revenue. An decrease by even one percent in US share of world tourism translates to losing 7.5 million arrivals, $12.3 billion in additional spending, 150000 U.S. jobs, $3.3 billion in payroll and $2.1 billion additional taxes.
This is serious business for the U.S. given its status as the world's third most preferred holiday destination after Spain and France.
"The problem is that since September 11, this country has viewed visitors more as a threat than an opportunity," Freeman said. "The entry process has created a climate of fear and frustration that is keeping foreign visitors away.Unless Congress understands there is a problem, nothing will be done ... though it wouldn't take much to make a change"
