by Donald Wood
Last updated: 6:21 PM ET, Thu July 26, 2018
The travel industry is buzzing about the introduction of the Jobs Originated through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act of 2018.
The bipartisan legislation will transform the current Visa Waiver Program (VWP) into the Secure Travel Partnership Program, while ensuring national security, reforming visa laws, increasing the focus on tourism and creating jobs in the industry.
As part of the JOLT Act, the Department of Homeland Security will be required to enforce security protocols that were previously considered discretionary as a way to ensure all VWP countries meet security standards in the United States.
"As an organization with close to 700 international members in 120 countries which has long advocated for reducing barriers to travel across the globe, ASTA strongly supports the JOLT Act," ASTA executive vice president Eben Peck told TravelPulse. "This is a no-brainer for us - the JOLT Act is about more travel to the U.S. and more travel from the U.S. overseas, with all the attendant benefits in terms of more jobs and increased economic activity for our industry and our country."
To participate in the VWP, countries must maintain airport security standards, operate an approved air-marshal program, ensure passport and travel document security standards, work with the U.S. combating terrorism and cooperate with intelligence agencies.
U.S. Travel Association senior vice president Tori Barnes issued a statement on the JOLT Act of 2018:
"International inbound travel is crucial to U.S. job growth-1.2 million jobs across America are directly supported by this segment of travel. But our potential to grow that number-and regain and increase our share of the global travel market-is only as strong as the policies that we have in place."
"The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is one of the most important programs the U.S. can leverage in expanding international inbound visitation and enhancing our national security: seven of the top 10 largest source markets to the U.S. are VWP countries. The adjustments to the VWP outlined in the JOLT Act-which includes its renaming to the Secure Travel Partnership Program to better reflect its dual purpose as both a security program and a means of travel facilitation-will expand U.S. job growth while further strengthening our national security."
"This legislation-which additionally provides improvements to the visa interview process, extends Canadian visitation limits and encourages growth of the Global Entry Program-will not only benefit U.S. job growth, but will help facilitate and welcome travel to America for millions of qualified visitors. Now more than ever, the U.S. must work to regain its declining share of the global travel market, and the provisions of the JOLT Act will help give us a competitive edge."
"We commend the cosponsors of the JOLT Act for embracing the vital role that travel plays in supporting American job growth, and we look forward to working with Congress towards the passage of this important legislation."
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