The U.S. Travel Association and 19 other hospitality and retail trade groups have put forward their concern over Executive Order 13802 which has been signed into law by President Trump on June 21, 2017.
Speaking about the “possible economic ramifications”, the industry experts have asked the Trump administration to reconsider the executive order likely to lengthen the period international visitors must wait for visas to visit the U.S.
The letter penned by the hospitality trade groups stated, ” we are concerned that the removal of this provision will negatively impact consular affairs operations and the timely processing of visas for prospective travellers”.
U.S. Travel research recently came up with the figures showing the travel industry generated $2.3 billion in economic output, supporting 15.3 million jobs and $248.2 billion in wages. Approximately 2.7 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) is attributed to travel and tourism, with 1 out of 9 jobs depending on the travel and tourism industry. If the visa processing method is slowed down, some of this revenue could be jeopardised.
The letter was penned by the U.S. Travel Association as well as the American Bus Association; American Gaming Association; American Hotel & Lodging Association; American Society of Association Executives; American Society of Travel Agents; Business Travel Coalition; Events Industry Council; International Association of Exhibitions and Events; International Franchise Association; International Inbound Travel Association; Meetings Professionals International (MPI); National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers; National Retail Federation; National Tour Association; Professional Convention Management Association; Society of Independent Show Organizers; Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA); U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the United States Tour Operators Association.
