Loosening of Visas Promoting International Travel

In an attempt to bolster and promote tourism, countries are taking actions to make travel easier.

The European Union and India are among the newest countries to start on legislation that will help speed up the visa approval process for applicants. India hopes to enact an online visa application process for 180 countries, promising a five-business day response.

Meanwhile, in Asia, Korea is loosening its restrictions for Vietnamese tourists including group visas and multiple entry visas that will last up to 30 days. Japan jumped on the bandwagon by loosening visa restrictions for Filipinos and residents of Indonesia and Vietnam.

One of the biggest reasons cited for loosening visa restrictions is so countries can reap the financial benefits of tourism. Tourists typically spend more than nationals at stores and in big cities, helping to create jobs and contributing to the gross domestic product.

The World Travel & Tourism Council is now calling for U.S. lawmakers to make travel for Chinese, Indian and Brazilian tourists to the United States easier. President Barack Obama signed an executive order to help speed along the process for visa approval for tourists, shrinking the wait time from four months to three weeks.

The largest sector the United States hopes to appeal to is the Chinese market, who favor the luxury brands the United States manufactures, like Tiffany and Co., Chanel and Kate Spade.

Loosening restrictions on travel visas is a way to bolster any country’s economy and promote international travel.