February 2006

One Week Visas Issued in Iranian Airports

In order to facilitate tourism in southern regions of Iran, the country cabinet ministers have agreed to allow 7 day visa issue for foreign visitors in two southern airports Bushehr and Asalouye.

The cabinet ministers have made an agreement with the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organisation of Iran, Control and Inspection Office of the Environmental Organisation and Forest and Rangeland Organisation on ecotourism development in these regions.

Measures will be taken to increase security and bring crimes under control.

Source: http://www.chn.ir/en/news/?section=1&id=1557

US Trying to be More Welcoming to Foreign Travelers

Today the US has faced an incredible slump in travel industry. The 48 million foreign visitors to the USA last year was 9 percent below 2000. In the same period, worldwide foreign travel soared 17 percent. The intention to improve the US boarders’ security after Sept. 11th, 2001 has caused incredible toughening of visa issue process and made customs officials see menace of terrorism in every foreigner. At the same time, almost all European and Asian travel destinations are aggressively marketing themselves in other countries, their governments working on simplification of visa regime or visa exemption.

As a result, America is loosing more and more foreign visitors, billions of dollars and thousands of new jobs. Travellers prefer other, more friendly and welcoming destinations to avoid visa hassle and supernormal spending.

Hopefully, things will change in the nearest future. Last month Bush administration announced a long-term plan to make the USA more welcoming to foreigners.

This year some US consular offices are planning to begin testing electronic visa application process and videoconference interviews for visa applicants.

Different ways are worked out to make American airports friendlier to foreign arrivals. Possible changes: greeters and video messages to prepare them for customs.

Source: http://www.thnt.com/
Related: http://www.direct-visas.co.uk/news/ , http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/

Russians Want Visa-Free Travel to Cyprus

The Republic of Cyprus is urged to seek for ways to recover its attractiveness for Russian tourists.

The Greek part of the island had always been one of the most popular destinations for Russian tourists, but having joined the EU in May 2004 the Republic of Cyprus cancelled visa-free regime for Russia.

The problem has been clearly stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin at an annual news conference in Moscow. He suggested that Russia and Cyprus return to the pre-EU visa free relations.

“If no such procedures are introduced, then more and more people, who have no interest whatever in politics, believe me, they don’t even know what is going on in Cyprus, will go to Turkey and the northern part of Cyprus, because there they let them in without visas,” he said. “They turn up at the border, they get a stamp in their passport, they pay, I don’t know, 20 dollars, or 25, and they go and take their holiday.”

Sources: http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060131/43261147.html , http://www.cyprus-mail.com

EU Newcomers Want Visa-free Travel to US

The EU members are calling on Washington to allow visa-free entry to the US from all EU countries.

While citizens of Western Europe do not need visa to travel to the US, visas are still required from eastern European states.

On a panel in Washington, which included John Bruton, the EU ambassador, and ambassadors from Poland and the Czech Republic, it was stressed that European Union “doesn’t want other people to be picking and choosing between its members”.

“Our countries don’t pose threats to US security,” said Janusz Reiter, Poland’s ambassador to the US. Citizens of these countries are very pro-american, which can’t be said about many western members of EU. The current situation could worsen pro-American public opinion in the east to a great degree.

In addition, the rate of Muslim population here is pretty low in comparison with western Europe where many Islamic extremists have found safe haven.

The Heritage Foundation, a conservative Washington think-tank, has argued that allowing visa-free travel from the Eastern countries, as well as South Korea and India would facilitate intelligence co-operation against terrorism.

Sources: http://news.monstersandcritics.com/ , http://www.workpermit.com/ , http://www.bangkokpost.com/ , http://www.baltictimes.com/art.php?art_id=14426