The Travel Industry Association of America (TIAS) recently warned that several new security measures intended to deter terrorists from entering the United States will also quite likely put off foreign tourists. The rules, which will take effect over coming months, means that all tourists who require a visa to enter the US will be interviewed by immigration officials. The TIAS notes that by January, the government will expand its tracking system for foreign visitors, which will include fingerprints and photographs. Officials say the changes are necessary for protection against terrorism. Travel executives, representing the largest airlines, hotels, cruise lines and car rental companies were critical, saying that the measures could further weaken the tourism industry. Since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, there has been a 20% drop on the number of international visitors to the US.

What does this mean for foreign visitors? US visa staff in embassies and consulates around the world will begin to interview almost all tourists who apply for visas, and this will create significant delays. In the past, consular officials had the option of allowing tourists who did not present security risks or did not seem likely to overstay their visas to apply by mail. In countries assessed likely to be sources of terrorists or illegal aliens, consular officials already routinely conduct interviews of visa applicants. For visitors from the 27 or so countries, mostly in Europe, who are not required to obtain visas, they will be required to produce computer-readable passports. Most British and Japanese visitors already have such passports, but travellers coming from France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland do not routinely carry computer-readable passports.