US Travel Association critical of electronic registration rollout

Travel associations in the US are fearful that the new online registration requirement for entry into the country will deter overseas travellers from visiting the US.

The Washington, DC-based US Travel Association, a non-profit organisation representing all travel industry sectors, is attempting to promote increased interest in travel to the US.

The organization has warned, however, that the new Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), which replaces the current paper I-94W forms used by nationals from countries with a visa-waiver agreement, has not been introduced adequately and consideration has not been made for those travellers who are unfamiliar with computers. The new regulation requires that a form is filled out online at least 72 hours before a passenger’s scheduled flight departure.

“America’s travel community supports the ESTA for its potential to improve security and increase convenience for travellers from visa waiver countries,” commented the US Travel Association president and chief executive, Roger Dow. “However, we are concerned that many of those who must comply with ESTA are not aware of it, do not fully understand what it is, or may be turned away at airports for non-compliance if the new requirements are fully enforced.”

Last week the Foreign Office warned the travelling public that anyone arriving in the US without having registered online faced the possibility of being refused entry by immigration officials, but it seems that authorities in the US have granted a period of grace as the system is introduced.

Thanks to www.telegraph.co.uk for the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.

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