Obama Seeks Streamlined Tourist/Business Visas

President Addresses Crowds At Disney World On Tourism


Disney World, Main Street USA -- President Barack Obama visited Disney World Thursday afternoon where he announced an executive order and new initiatives "aimed at significantly increasing travel and tourism in the United States."

The President wants to make the United States the number-one destination for international tourists, marking tourism as a great job creator. When foreign travelers come to the United States, they spent on average $4,000 per person here.

Press Secretary Jay Carney announced on Air Force One on the way to Disney, "As I’m sure you’re aware, the U.S. tourism and travel industry is a substantial component of U.S. GDP and employment. It represents 2.7 percent of GDP and 7.5 million jobs; that was in 2010. With international travel alone, the United States supporting 1.2 million jobs.

"The industry, the travel and tourism industry, estimates that more than 1 million jobs could be created over the next decade if we increased our market share of the international tourism market -- share of the international tourism market.

The President is calling for a national strategy to make the United States the world’s top travel and tourism destination and is targeting visitors from emerging economies with growing middle classes such as China, Brazil and India. The tourist and business visitor increase is projected to grow by 135 percent, 274 percent and 50 percent respectively by 2016 compared to 2010.

The President has signed an executive order tasking the Secretaries of Commerce and Interior to co-lead an interagency task force to develop recommendations for national travel and tourism strategy to promote domestic and international travel opportunities. 

 He has tasked the Departments of State and Homeland Security with increasing non-immigrant visa processing capacity in China and Brazil by 40 percent in 2012, and ensuring that 80 percent of non-immigrant visa applicants are interviewed within three weeks of receipt of application.

(Video: Obama At Disney World, Florida)