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/