Visa reform vital for tourism growth

Visa reform vital for tourism growth
By admin


Visa reform is essential if tourism is to benefit from the world's burgeoning middle class, industry leaders have warned, with Australia held up as an example of best practice.

Delegates at the World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit in Abu Dhabi were told that, by 2050, 3 billion people will be considered middle class, with both the means and the desire to travel.

But WTTC president and chief executive, David Scowsill, stressed long-term strategies are needed to capitalise on the growth opportunities.

"Too many people still find it too complex and too difficult to cross borders as international tourists," he said.

"Governments need to balance security needs with a change in mindset and implement visa waiver and trusted traveller programs."

David Radcliffe, chief executive of the UK's Hogg Robinson Group, suggested airport owners should play a key role in lobbying governments for change.

"We've got to get out of the mindset that security controls everything, and that everything revolves around the security process," he said.

For Chinese travellers, visa issues are the second biggest deterrent to travel after safety and security, according to Mission Hills Group chairman and chief executive, Ken Chu.

In 2012, of 83 million outbound Chinese travellers, just 6% visited Europe and 1.25% the US, he revealed.

"This is something we we can all learn from the UAE – none of us had to fill in a customs or immigration form on arrival," he said. 

Meanwhile, Australia was also highlighted as a pioneer of visa reform due to its early implementation of e-visas.

 

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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