French tourist industry lost €208 million (J138 million) after the country’s government was unable to deliver new biometric passports required for visa-free travel to the US on time.

The US says that all passports issued after October 26, 2005, must contain a digital photograph of the holder and a microchip. Otherwise, the owner will need a visa to enter the United States.

The process of passport modernisation began only last summer and is too slow. Professionals are demanding compensation from the French Government, whose inability to deliver the high-tech passports on time has resulted in a 30 per cent reduction in trans-atlantic bookings.

René-Marc Chikli, chairman of the French Association of Tour Operators, said: “What has happened is unacceptable. It’s meant lost sales for tour operators, travel agents, airlines and others. Everyone is going to do their calculations and ask for compensation from the Government.”

The US Consulate in Paris is flooded with visa applications. Last week, the earliest date for a consulate appointment was June 20.

The UK passports have been containing digital photos since 2003 and the British Government promises to deliver microchips by this autumn.

Source: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/