Heller introduces visa waiver reforms
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Dean Heller introduced legislation last week that could be a boon to Las Vegas tourism.
In what is being billed as a "jolt" for travel-related jobs, the Nevada Republican wants to streamline the visa application system for foreign tourists seeking to visit Nevada and other tourist destinations.
The "Jobs Originated Through Launching Travel" should help the United States recover its shrinking share of the global travel market — potentially adding up to $100 billion to the economy and creating nearly 700,000 jobs over the next decade, he said.
"We have so much to offer, which is why I am proud to help lead the efforts on the JOLT Act. The impact of tourism to Nevada cannot be understated, and I am confident this bipartisan legislation will help welcome even more international tourists to our state and the entire nation," Heller said.
The bill would streamline visa processing, encourage more Canadian tourism, and otherwise strengthen the visa waiver program.
Heller introduced the bill with Sens. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.
The U.S. share of the global travel market has declined by 5 percent since 2000.
U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow said the bill "would further sharpen America's security and competitiveness in the booming global market for business and leisure travel" that already supports a million American jobs.
He noted that when new countries are added to the Visa Waiver Program, visitations by its citizens skyrocket.
Heller has received letters of support for his bill from the chambers of commerce, convention authorities and airports in Las Vegas and Reno.
Contact Peter Urban at purban@reviewjournal.com or at 202-783-1760.
