U.S. travel requirement bad for tourism
A new security procedure requires those coming to the U.S. to fill out an online form at least three days before departure in order to get clearance. One U.K. expert thinks this could hurt tourism. Stephen Beard reports.
A U.K. passport (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
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TEXT OF STORY
Steve Chiotakis: Starting Monday, there's a new Department of Homeland Security system for controlling visitors coming into the country. But a leading British travel expert says it could take a bite out of tourism here. From London, here's Stephen Beard.
Stephen Beard: It's called ESTA -- Electronic System for Travel Authorization. This new security requirement applies to travellers who don't need a visa to enter the United States. Those travelers must now fill out an online form at least three days before departure in order to get clearance from the U.S. to make the trip.
Simon Calder is one of Britain's best-known travel experts. He says the new system will put quite a few people off visiting America:
Simon Calder: This latest hurdle, I fear, is going to deter an awful lot of prospective tourists from Britain and elsewhere in the world. America looks too difficult to get into, I'm sorry to say.
The Department of Homeland Security insists the new system will mean minimal inconvenience. Once an application's been accepted, it will be valid for multiple visits for a period of two years.
In London, this is Stephen Beard for Marketplace.
Comments
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From livermore, CA, 01/09/2009
I am sorry to disagree but I just had friends from europe visit and found the system quite easy to use and very efficient. They had their response in less than 4 days. which is better than the old get a visa thing. If anyone is to blame is the Muslim terrorist that have made hell out of air travel world wide. I know I been traveling for 40 yrs. Miss the good old days.
From San Francisco, CA, 01/09/2009
Let's see now. Our economy is in the toilet, our dollar isn't doing all that great against foreign currencies, and now we want to make it harder for people to being their money here? This is an incredibly short-sighted idea that only DHS could come up with. This is sure fire way to kill tourism.
One more question - did anyone over there think about people who don't have Internet access? Oh wait...
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