Reducing the visa pain, eVisa scheme to streamline travel

By Giovanni Bisignani*

Tourism is central to the global economy, with international arrivals increasing from 675 million in 2000 to 940 million in 2010, despite the global crisis. The result is more and more tourists waiting at customs and embassies to get a visa to their dream destination. The latest statistics from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) show the industry supports 260 million jobs, which amounts to nearly 9% of the total employment. These statistics also include the employment opportunities indirectly created by the tourism industry- illustrating how important it is for the global economy.  The Travel and Tourism industry also contribute US$ 6 trillion or 9% of global GDP.

To harness these opportunities,the World Economic Forum’s Aviation, Travel and Tourism (ATT) council propose a worldwide electronic visa (eVisa) scheme. This scheme will facilitate travel increasing the number of travellers, supporting the global economy and generating additional jobs. Incidentally, it will also speed the current visa and entry process which will help travellers get to where they want to be without a hassle.

Research shows it takes Chinese people 70-100 days on average to get a visa to the United States. By implementing an eVisa scheme, passengers would not have to wait 100 days to get an appointment at the embassy but apply online through a website instead. They would then either receive their visa by email or an update on their visa status. The results sent to the immigration authorities. This would cut visa waiting times significantly. Countries such as Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Cambodia have already successfully put this scheme into place.

I believe that eVisas should be introduced on a common software platform internationally and could start in the European Union, in the United States of America, and other developed countries. I am concerned that the reaction to the current UK border issue could discourage travel and tourism to the country, and I am confident that an eVisa scheme would not only help ease congestion at borders but offers as a solution to the UK border control process.

Foreign travellers are a key component and contribute directly to the economy. The United Kingdom is expected to attract more than 29 million international tourist arrivals in 2011, generating an expected export value of GBP 26.7bn. By 2021, international tourist arrivals are forecast to total more than 44 million, an increase of 4.2% per annum generating expenditure of GBP 42.2bn.

The e-visa proposal will be discussed in detail at the upcoming Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January 2012. The ATT council aims to have input and governments sign up for this initiative over the next three years.

*Giovanni Bisignani Director-General Emeritus, International Air Transport Association (IATA), Geneva  and the Chair of the Aviation, Travel and Tourism Council.