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Governments urged to remove travel barriers

Adoption of smarter visa and border security policies could drive jobs and economic growth

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is urging governments to adopt smarter visa and border security policies to promote travel and tourism.

Post 9/11, the security of air transport for both passengers and freight has been transformed and visa regulations heightened.

High costs and lengthy procedures for obtaining visas, bans on liquids in hand baggage and intrusive body scanners are just some of the obstacles travellers have to overcome.

David Scowsill, President & CEO of WTTC said: "The enhanced security processes put in place post 9/11 were entirely appropriate as a short-term response to a very dramatic situation. Over the last ten years, however, the barriers to travel have become even greater, rather than diminishing through better use of technology and passenger profiling."

"It is time for a fundamental change in the minds of governments - balancing security needs with freedom to travel by moving away from the current approach to a faster implementation of visa waiver and trusted traveller programmes."

Further information:
World Travel & Tourism Council

 

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