2012-01-19

Travel to the USA - Plan to Expand Foreign Tourism in U.S.

Obama Unveils Plan to Expand Foreign Tourism in U.S.
VOA - Thursday, January 19th, 2012

Standing at one of the United States' most famous tourist destinations, Disney World, President Barack Obama promised to boost the nation's tourism industry.

He unveiled a new program to cut processing times for tourist visas, including for visitors coming from China and Brazil. Rising wealth in both countries is rapidly increasing the number of their citizens going abroad for vacation.

His aim is to expand the country's tourism industry, and create jobs that help cut unemployment and fuel economic growth.

“We've got the best product to sell. Look at where we are. We've got the most entertaining destinations in the world. This is the land of extraordinary natural wonders, from the Rocky Mountains to the Grand Canyon, from Yellowstone to Yosemite. This is the land where we do big things, and so have incredible landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and the Empire State Building, the Hoover Dam, the Gateway Arch.”

His program includes new efforts to attract foreign tourists and inform them about the country's attractions. And Mr. Obama promised to increase the number of countries whose citizens will not need tourist visas to enter the U.S.

He said, however, the efforts to bring more tourists will not hamper efforts to keep the country secure.

Mr. Obama is campaigning for re-election this year. Republican candidates for the presidency have attacked him repeatedly on the country's unemployment rate, which is over 8 percent, and the weak economy.

The U.S. Department of Commerce says nearly 60 million people visited the United States in 2010, spending $134 billion. The tourism – both domestic and foreign – generates 7.5 million U.S. jobs.

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