April 10, 2011 - U.S. Travel Association Calls on Congress, Obama Administration to Create Jobs by Reducing Barriers to International Travelers, Create Smarter Visa System. The single greatest roadblock to increasing international travel to the United States is an inefficient visa system that can discourage visitors from coming to the U.S., the head of the U.S. Travel Association told Congress on Tuesday. 

"Promoting America as a desirable travel destination and streamlining the immigration clearance process will not lead to increased visitation if travelers are unable to obtain a required U.S. visitor's visa," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of U.S. Travel, in his appearance before the Subcommittee on Competitiveness, Innovation & Export Control. 

The visa process is highly uncertain, lengthy and costly. In some countries, the wait time for U.S. visas can be as long as 100 days. The $140 visa application fee is non-refundable, and applying for a visa is no guarantee that a visa will be issued since nearly 20 percent of applicants are refused. 

"The real cost of obtaining a U.S. visa is far greater than $140, particularly when potential visitors do not live near a consular post issuing visas," said Dow. "Therefore, they must travel hundreds, if not thousands, of miles and pay for a flight and hotel to make a mandatory trip to a U.S. consulate, and then wait hours for an interview that, on average, lasts for three minutes." 

Analysis by U.S. Travel shows that if the United States recaptured its historic share of worldwide overseas - or long-haul - travel by 2015 and maintained that share through 2020, it would add nearly $100 billion to the economy over the next decade and create nearly 700,000 more U.S. jobs.