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Saturday, June 16th, 2012

Made in America: Visa Process Slows Down Tourism

Author:     DAVID MUIR, CHRISTINE BROUWER and MAGGY PATRICK
Source:     ABC News
Publication Date:     Oct. 31, 2011
 Link: Made in America: Visa Process Slows Down Tourism
Stephan:   Read this and think about it in the context of what that lost $606 billion -- nearly two thirds of a trillion dollars -- would have meant in terms of jobs, and small business profits. Ask yourself how many middle class families who have fallen into poverty would be prosperous today if those tourists had come to our shores. Our paranoia and fear is cutting us off from the rest of the world. And if people don't know you how can they like you? I think this is contributing to the rising anti-Americanism in the world.

In the decade between 2000 and 2010, the number of foreign overseas tourists travelling the world grew by an astounding 60 million. You would think the numbers would grow in the United States as well, but they haven’t. Ten years ago 26 million overseas visitors visited the U.S. In 2010, 26.4 million, according to the U.S. Travel Association, a trade group. That’s hardly any growth at all.

Take a look at the numbers. The average Chinese tourist who visits America spends $6,243 while they’re here, according to the U.S. Travel Association. Visitors from India spend $6,131. Brazilian tourists coming to America spend $4,940.

‘I want to go to New York and California, maybe Las Vegas — the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone Park,’ said one man waiting for a visa in Rio de Janiero.

But there is a catch, and it’s a big one. There is no guarantee he or any other foreign tourists will get to come and spend their money here.

In fact, last year, tourists from Brazil had to wait up to 145 days just to interview for the required piece of paper.

In China, there are 1.3 billion people and only five places where you can even get an American visa. This […]

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