Page 10 - IAADFS Summit of the Americas 2025 Special Issue

INSIDER

U.S. Travel report urges reforms before Mega-Decade of events

The United States is on the strength consular staffing for visa revolutionized traveler security and
brink of a historic travel surge — but processing; extend B-1/B-2 visa screening,” said Geoff Freeman,
without immediate action, the country’s validity for vetted, lawful visitors by President and CEO of the U.S.
outdated air travel system will strain two years; establish a National Vetting Travel Association. “Each of our
under the pressure according to a new Service that processes all visitor visas recommendations will enhance both
report released by the Commission in 30 days or less; and create a “Secure security and speed, ensuring travelers
on Seamless and Secure Travel Travel Partnership” program to increase move efficiently through our airports.”
commissioned by the U.S. Travel countries that have strong travel security “America is staring at a historic
Association agreements with the U.S. as a stepping- opportunity — the question is whether
The report identifies urgent steps stone to the Visa Waiver Program. we will seize the moment or fall
needed to ensure the country delivers a Create the world’s most advanced maddeningly short,” said Freeman.
“golden age of travel” ahead of the 2026 and secure airport screening process. “The next several years will bring
FIFA World Cup, 2028 Olympic and This would include increasing unprecedented travel demand that our
Paralympic Games, the 2025 Ryder Cup technology funding to ensure that within systems are not prepared to handle.
and America’s 250th anniversary. five years all travelers can pack larger Washington has a small window to fix
The Association has released what liquids in carry-ons, keep electronics major travel pain points and unlock a
it calls a “blueprint” to position America and IDs in their bags, and keep their $100 billion economic opportunity —
as the world’s travel leader and avoid shoes, jackets and belts on. but it will require a level of urgency that
massive entry delays, overwhelmed TSA Implement a strong, modern and has been missing in recent years.”
checkpoints and frustrated travelers efficient airport customs process to keep According to the report, travel’s
as the U.S. prepares for a decade of America safe and global travel moving. global economic impact over the next
historic global events. This would include full-strength CBP decade is projected to grow from $11.1
In addition to security reforms staffing at airport customs; leveraging trillion today to $16 trillion — growing
outlined throughout the report, U.S. the use of biometrics and advanced at a rate significantly faster than the
Travel continues to call for urgent vetting, and strengthen protection overall global economy and employing
modernization of air traffic control against immigration overstays by over 12% of workers worldwide.
technology and solutions to the nation’s completing biometric air exit within two “We need to win our share of this
air traffic controller shortages. years expanding market. Travel is already
Key initiatives outlined in the But, the report warns, “America’s vital to the U.S. economy, generating
report are: travel infrastructure is outdated, $2.8 trillion in economic output in
Establish a White House task force underfunded and inefficient, creating 2023, representing 2.5% of our nation’s
to transform U.S. travel and prepare vulnerabilities in national security and GDP. More than $1.3 trillion in travel
the country to take advantage of global economic opportunity.” spending contributed $89 billion in tax
events coming its way over the next four “The advancements we recommend revenues in states and communities
years. are an opportunity for President across the U.S. And more than 15
Implement a new, secure and Trump and Congress to enact the million American workers are either
streamlined visa process for visitors. most significant improvements to air directly employed or heavily supported
This would include providing full- travel since TSA PreCheck, which by travel,” says the report.

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