Problems still not solved

We posted last November on the negative impact on business events of the post-9/11 tightening of visa procedures which has made the US an unappealing destination for many travellers. I was interested to see, then, the MeetingsNet site reporting on a Congressional panel meeting in which the problem is clearly reported to be remaining a major issue.

"Travel and tourism industry leaders last week told a Congressional panel that the United States still faces a daunting task in attracting international visitors", it says. It goes on to note that "...overseas traffic into the United States was down 16.5 percent in 2005 from its peak in 2000, when 51.2 million travelers visited the U.S".