U.S. Travel Praises Addition of Greece to Visa Waiver Program

Expansion of Program Boosts International Visitation to U.S.

March 9, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Travel Association applauded the Obama Administration and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano for designating Greece as a member of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This addition ensures strict security standards, including law enforcement and data sharing, while at the same time streamlining travel for Greek citizens who will no longer need a visa to travel to the United States for up to 90 days for business or leisure.

“We applaud the Obama Administration and Department of Homeland Security for today’s inclusion of Greece in the Visa Waiver Program,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “Expansion of this program is a critical way to spur increased visitation to the United States, alongside enhancements to the entry experience and the new nationally coordinated marketing and promotion program that was established last week when the President signed the Travel Promotion Act into law.”

Overseas visitors to the United States provide a significant boost to the U.S. economy, spending an average of more than $4,000 per person, per trip.  In 2008 the VWP was expanded to countries that met stringent new security requirements, including the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Latvia, Lithuania, Malta and Slovakia and now totals 36 participating countries. According to the U.S. Travel Association forecast, VWP travelers spent more than $44 billion in the U.S. in 2009, excluding international airfare. This spending generated more than 400,000 jobs and $6.3 billion in federal, state and local taxes.

The Travel Promotion Act creates the Corporation for Travel Promotion, modeled after successful programs in U.S. states and other developed nations, with the mission of attracting more visitors to the United States. The initiative is funded through a matching program featuring up to $100 million in private sector contributions and a $10 fee on foreign travelers who do not pay $131 for a visa to enter the United States.  The fee will be collected once every two years in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization.  No money is provided by U.S. taxpayers.

Contact:
Kristy Chandler 202-408-2172
Cathy Keefe 202-408-2183

The U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the $770 billion travel industry. U.S. Travel’s mission is to promote and facilitate increased travel to and within the United States. U.S. Travel is proud to be a partner in travel with American Express. For more information, visit www.ustravel.org.