visa waiver program
Israel VWP Admission To Add $1.8 Billion to U.S. Economy
U.S. Travel Association | October 2, 2023
WASHINGTON (October 2, 2023)—U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman issued the following statement on Israel’s admission to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP): “The highly successful Visa Waiver Program has a proven record of boosting travel exports and U.S. global competitiveness, benefiting U.S. destinations, businesses and the broader American economy. Following Israel’s admission to the Visa Waiver Program, the U.S. can expect to welcome 200,000 additional Israeli visitors per year, generating an additional $800 million in direct travel spending and producing an economic impact of roughly $1.8 billion. “U.S. T...
Travel Industry Urges Biden Admin to Raise Cap on H-2B Visas
U.S. Travel Association | March 7, 2022
WASHINGTON — March 7, 2022 — U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement on the announcement that the H-2B visa cap for the second half of FY 2022 has already been met: “With the H-2B visa cap already met and millions of jobs still open, it is evident that a workforce shortage is threatening to hold back industries across the economy, especially in Leisure & Hospitality. The cap on H-2B visas must be raised to ensure travel businesses are adequately staffed—particularly ahead of the busy summer travel season when so many businesses re...
Travel Trends Index: Steady April Growth, But International Outlook Alarms
U.S. Travel Association | June 5, 2019
ANAHEIM, CA (June 4, 2019) — Overall travel to and within the U.S. grew 3.0% in April, including an expected 5.6% recovery surge in year-over-year international travel due to the timing of the Easter holiday. But the predictive Leading Travel Index—which has proven to be an accurate forecast of official U.S. government arrivals data—warns that the one-month international figure is a flash in the pan, and growth of the inbound market will slow to an anemic 0.8% through October. The data fuels worries that the U.S. continues to miss out on robust growth of the lucrative and competitive global travel market. Long-haul arr...
U.S. Travel Statement on Feinstein-Flake VWP Bill
the U.S. Travel Association | December 2, 2015
"The U.S. travel community strongly supports sensible security enhancements to the Visa Waiver Program. What we cannot support are steps that ultimately dismantle the program and set back America's economy and our efforts to protect the homeland. "The Feinstein-Flake VWP bill contains a number of sound proposals, but there are a universe of unanswered questions about the feasibility, cost and effectiveness of its biometrics provision. For one thing, it appears to be redundant upon existing policy, because biometric information is already collected from those travelers who clear CBP upon arrival, while they are still inside secure ar...
Travel Community Decries Attacks on Security Value of Visa Waiver Program
U.S. Travel Association | November 19, 2015
"Keep calm. And then legislate." WASHINGTON (November 19, 2015)—U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President for Public Affairs Jonathan Grella issued the following statement in response to congressional moves that would undermine the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) in the wake of terror activity in Europe: "It would be a grave error by Congress to scapegoat a successful program—without as much as a hearing—that had zero to do with a recent tragedy. On crucial matters of security above all others, Congress is obligated to be as clear-eyed and deliberative as possible, and not fall prey to the time-hon...
