Entry requirements in the United States are the “worst in the world.”
In addition, visa rules are “cumbersome.”
The result: tourists are steering clear of America, according to a leading figure in US travel and tourism.
“Travel is the number one industry in the world, but the US is not benefiting,” said Jonathan Tisch
Mr Tisch is chairman of the influential Travel Business Round Table in the US, which represents travel groups in America.
He made his comments to Times Online Travel.
Mr Tisch said that urgent action is needed to increase visitors to the US.
He is calling on immigration officials at airports to be more polite, for fewer visa restrictions and for a nationwide tourist board to promote tourism. There is no such thing as the later since each state organizes its own tourist publicity.
Tisch believes that potential visitors consider trips to the America to be “problematic”. This is making the US culturally isolated and is also having a negative effect on the economy.
Report by David Wilkening
