Fed Government Scaring Away Tourists

Thought the gov couldn't do any more to kill the last hope for NYC economic activity alive? Well, guess again... http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080731/FREE/265499117/1052/newsletter11 New travel policy threatens NYC tourism As voluntary registration for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization starts Friday, the city's tourism officials worry that the new policy... [more]

Thought the gov couldn't do any more to kill the last hope for NYC economic activity alive? Well, guess again... http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080731/FREE/265499117/1052/newsletter11 New travel policy threatens NYC tourism As voluntary registration for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization starts Friday, the city's tourism officials worry that the new policy will scare away precious spending. ALSO: NYC urges local 'staycations' On Friday, the federal government will start a trial run for a security measure requiring foreign tourists to register online before they can board a plane to the U.S. The system, dubbed the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, will offer voluntary registration until January. Then, it will become a mandatory process for all visitors, even children, from the European Union and other visa-waived areas. New York’s tourism officials fear the radical change will alienate foreigners and dampen the torrent of visitors that has helped buoy the city’s economy during the national slump. “NYC & Co. is a proponent of being as welcoming as possible,” said a spokesman for the city’s tourism bureau, adding that the group favors a balance between security and convenience. But, he said, depending on how visitors react, the mandate could become a “barrier” for international tourism. International visitors have balked at other travel policies launched after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, including the switch to passports featuring traceable RFID tags. Officials worry that the ESTA policy could spark a backlash at a time when cities such as New York desperately need the flush of foreign cash. “There’s no doubt that this is one of the most drastic changes to U.S. travel policy in recent years,” said Geoff Freeman, senior vice president of public affairs for the Travel Industry Association. “[The foreign media] will beat it up and give their travelers reason to think that the U.S. doesn’t want them to visit.” It’s all about marketing the policy so that foreign visitors still feel welcome here, said Jonathan Tisch, chief executive of Loews Hotels. America competes with other destination countries that don’t have so many rules about visitation, he said, adding that “their barriers to entry are significantly lower than ours.” The policy, crafted by the Department of Homeland Security, will replace a paper form that international visitors currently fill out from their airplane seats. Like they do now, visitors will have to provide their names, addresses, destinations and travel plans. However, because the new online system will require that travelers of all ages fill out the form at least 72 hours before starting their trips, officials will have more time to examine the information for security red flags. For instance, all entries will be cross-referenced with security watch-lists. Once travelers register with the ESTA, their forms will stay valid for two years, unless their passports expire earlier. Only visitors from countries that waive travel visas will use the system. That includes countries in the European Union, Japan and Australia. More than 15 million visitors from visa-waiver countries visited the states in 2007, according to the Department of Homeland Security. [less]