FREE VISAS FOR U.S. VISITORS [To the Editor of the
SPECTATOR.] SIE,—As a result of the efforts which have been made to encourage visitors from overseas to come to Great Britain, there is an increase so far this year of about eight per cent. of tourists, chiefly from America, yet there is a corresponding increase in arrivals at the Continental ports, and though some pro recta progress has been made the position is still far from satisfactory.
I am convinced that one of the principal deterrents from a free influx of visitors, who are potential spenders of money, is the high visa fee imposed by the Government. Strong representations have been made from different interested sources suggesting the abolition of this charge in the case of bona-fide tourists, but, while a certain measure of sympathy has been received, the answer has been that before such a privilege can be granted in this country, a reciprocal arrange- ment must be come to with the Government of the U.S.A.
Although it is understood that the Americans, in "order to increase the number of visitors to their shores, are prepared to waive the present visa charge of 22 for English passengers visiting the U.S. temporarily, our Government have, so far, insisted that complete reciprocity cannot be obtained until such an arrangement is made to cover emigrant passengers also. As the two classes of passengers in question are "com- pletely divorced and should be dealt with separately, it is regrettable that their confusion should jeopardize our chance of securing advantages for commercial interests in this country which are the natural corollary of an increased influx of tourists. It is unnecessary for me to detail the benefits to be derived, by the transportation companies, retail houses, hotels, and so on, from such an encouragement as a free visa would give, but it is patent that Great Britain would be immeasurably the better off of the two countries if such an agreement were concluded, in view of the far greater number of Americans who can travel and spend money. - Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark, and other countries have already seen the advantages which result from the encouragement of travel in their lands, and are taking our visitors from us. It is surely disastrous that we should forgo increased prosperity through the dis- inclination of the Government to assist such a simple arrange- Gordon Hotels, Limited, Whitehall Rooms, Whitehall Place, S.W . 1.
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