New legislation expected to boost travel to US

The US travel industry is set to benefit from a new piece of legislation that received approval from the Senate this week.

President Obama is expected to sign the legislation into law in the coming days.

The initiative will create a public-private partnership with the aim of clarifying travel security policies for foreign visitors and promoting the US as a holiday destination.

Research by Oxford Economics indicates that the new programme will attract 1.6 million additional visitors to the country every year and boost consumer spending by over $4 billion (£2.6 billion).

Roger Dow, president and chief executive of the US Travel Association, said: "This is a historic victory for the US economy and the one in eight American workers whose jobs depend on travel.

"The United States Congress has sent a clear message that travel is a high priority to our nation and that tangible steps must be taken to increase travel to and within the United States."

People planning to catch flights to New York, San Francisco, Orlando and other destinations in the US are currently required to gain approval via the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation prior to departure.

Posted by Andrea, 26 February 2010 13:20

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• New York
• Orlando
• San Francisco