Chinese travelers to the United States will enjoy upgraded visa service soon as US President Barack Obama announced a new initiative to boost tourism.
As part of a comprehensive effort to spur job creation, the administration mapped out a national strategy to make the US the world’s top travel and tourism destination. More than one million American jobs could be created over the next decade if the US increases its share of the international travel market.
The emerging markets such as China, Brazil and India are especially targeted in his plan as tourists from the three countries contributed about $15 billion and thousands of jobs to the US economy in 2010.
The number of travelers from China is projected to grow by 135 percent by 2016 as compared to 2010. In addition, Chinese tourists currently spend more than $6,000 each, per trip, according to the Department of Commerce.
Under the executive order, the non-immigrant visa processing capacity in China will be increased by 40 percent this year and 80 percent of non-immigrant visa applicants will be interviewed within three weeks of the receipt of application.
According to the UN World Travel Organization (UNWTO), China is the fastest growing travel market in the world, and is estimated to reach 100 million international travelers by 2020. In December 2007, the US and China signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to facilitate Chinese group leisure travel from China to the United States.
