What’s the single biggest deterrent that’s keeping millions of international travelers from visiting the United States each year? If you ask the U.S. Travel Association, the answer is simple: U.S. border policies.
In a 36-page report released Wednesday, the national nonprofit trade organization proposed 20 policy changes that it said would address the severe economic consequences that result from the often lengthy wait times experienced by millions of travelers during the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, entry process.
“The U.S. welcomed 67 million visitors last year, and far too many of these valued customers spent the first hours of their trip waiting in line at U.S. air ports of entry,” Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, explained. “International travel is a bright spot for the U.S. economy, but long lines and wait times that many experience during entry are deterring millions of potential visitors while our country is working to rebuild its global market share.”
Of the five largest gateway airports, the new report found that Miami (4.68 hours) and New York’s JFK (4.48 hours) had the longest peak wait times, followed by Chicago O’Hare (3.76 hours), Los Angeles (3.30 hours) and Washington Dulles (2.87 hours). The report blamed staffing shortages for the lion’s share of the delays, which it said often resulted in missed connections.
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