Introduction
Over the last few years a big discussion has started off concerning a universal traveler’s visa. 09/11 has led to a major change of perception and a made people realize that the requirements to a visa should always be followed. The problem that governments are facing nowadays is that every country has its own law concerning travelers applying for a visa and this leads to numerous costs and bureaucracy. It also leads to unfair treatment, when comparing the opportunities of the western world with the third world. The ideal situation to solve that problem is to work with a universal visa since it will save a lot of time and money but on the other hand countries are afraid that safety can be less guaranteed.
The original article can be found at TravelDailyNews.com
Essay by Naomi Maas
Master in Tourism Destination Management student 2008/2009
To state clear from now on: Many subjects can be seen from different perspectives but; there has hardly been given more attention to another tourism problem than the visa restrictions and the major changes in travel needs. This problem has led to many international discussions during the past few years. The boundaries that have been set after 09/11 have had major influences on tourism travel worldwide and to get entitled to receive a visa nowadays, a lot of obstacles have to be taken.
One major problem is the fact that it shows that the western world allows itself more rights to travel into developing countries than that the third world has rights to travel into the developed countries. The industrialized countries use certain pressure to obtain visa-free access for all citizens. From businessmen to criminal while the other way around, academics from developing countries are refused. A totally unfair situation.
The strict visa requirements had and have also a major influence on the development of tourism destinations, especially in the third world countries. On one hand these countries would like to grow with the money that tourist bring in, on the other hand they do not agree with the fact that it became more difficult for them to travel to the western world. Requiring a visa takes, mostly, a lot of time and even more, costs a lot of money. A universal visa will solve that problem and will result in free travel and more free trade. The difficulties in currently obtaining a visa make it harder for project developers to get permission and access to legal tools on starting new tourism projects.
With areas as south-east Asia and the middle-east which are rapidly growing, the demand for a universal visa increases again. Again, because since 09/11 countries worldwide, tried to protect themselves against unwelcome travelers and a visa gave the opportunity to investigate people and refuse when necessary. Because of that, it is difficult to decide if a universal visa should replace all national visas worldwide. It is already been proven successful on smaller scales, like the Schengen countries. It saves much time when you are just able to cross a border and that a country does not have to secure their borders with extra manpower saves enormous amounts of money as well.
Honestly, we have not reached the point yet for a universal visa. The technology for implementation already exists and we are at the right track but with the idea in mind that there are parts of the world that are not so secure as, for instance, Europe it is necessary to keep control. Their is still to many fear concerning terrorist attacks, illegal’s, criminals etc. and as long as that fear stays, it will not change our perspectives and will have a big influence on our decision making.
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