How 2 New US Visa Rules Could Destroy America’s Tourism Economy
I have been watching the tourism industry for decades, and I can tell you that when governments make it difficult to cross their borders, the local economy bleeds.
Right now, while most Americans are just trying to figure out how to get the best deals on travel, Washington is quietly building a financial fortress across the country. Two new obstacles are being thrown at international tourists: higher visa bonds and unprecedented checks on social media.
The goal is to increase security and stop visa overstays. But the economic recovery will be brutal. If you own a restaurant, own a hotel, or work anywhere near the tourism industry, you need to pay attention. We are looking at a situation where foreign tourists take their money to Europe or Canada instead.
This is why the tourism industry is raising the alarm.
1. $15,000 pay-to-play bond
Starting April 2, travelers from 50 countries will face a financial wall to visit the United States. According to the US State Department, consular officials may require a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000, or up to $15,000 before they will issue a B-1 or B-2 visa.
The policy is designed to ensure that long-term residents are welcome. If the tourist leaves the country on time, he gets his money.
But let’s face the facts. Most average families can’t afford to lock up $15,000 in a government account just for the privilege of taking a vacation to Florida or California. It is an obstacle that will quickly kill the demand of the affected countries.
2. Interrogating social media
The financial barrier is not the only problem. US Customs and Border Protection has proposed a sweeping new policy that forces visitors to provide their social media history from the past five years. Is that what you can bear to visit America?
The agency also seeks phone numbers, email addresses used in the last ten years, and detailed biometric data. For a family that wants to visit Disney World or take a road trip to the Grand Canyon, this level of observation sounds unacceptable. Many will simply choose to spend their money elsewhere.
This does not only refer to high-risk countries. This requirement applies to 42 countries whose citizens currently enjoy visa-free travel to the US We are talking about large, reliable sources of tourism income such as Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
15.7 billion hole in the economy
You don’t have to guess what happens when you treat guests like suspects. The numbers speak for themselves.
The World Travel and Tourism Council is taking stock of these proposed social media changes. It warns that making the US less attractive would result in a staggering loss of $15.7 billion in tourist spending. That’s not just an abstract number. It translates into real pain for local businesses and the potential destruction of up to 157,000 American jobs.
Security is important, but we cannot ignore the economic reality. If you make it too expensive and attack tourism, people stop coming. And when the tourists disappear, it’s the American worker who ends up picking up the bill.
