These
important policy steps are in line with UNWTO’s call for countries
worldwide to revise their visa regulations and procedures
underscoring the close links between visa facilitation and economic
growth through tourism.
The
visa waiver for tourists from Russia, the Czech Republic, Hungary,
Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine visiting Jamaica for up to thirty days
was announced on 6 March 2013 together with the indefinite extension
of the visa waiver in place for nationals of Columbia, Panama, and
Venezuela.
“We
continue to make positive headway towards removing barriers to travel
while creating ease of access to visitors from these new and emerging
market frontiers” said the Minister of Tourism and Entertainment of
Jamaica, Wykeham McNeill.
UNWTO
Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, welcomed the announcement by Jamaica.
“Easing visa policies generates new opportunities for tourism
growth and the consequent economic benefits that it brings. Recent
UNWTO research shows considerable progress towards visa facilitation
over recent years, although hurdles remain in several countries.
Jamaica’s decision is encouraging and sets an example for the way
forward”, he said.
The
waiving of the visa requirement for visitors from Latin America in
2011 has proven a successful strategy, with a 50% growth of tourist
arrivals from that region in the following year according to the
Jamaican authorities, who expect a similar impact with the easing of
visa requirements for emerging European markets.
