World Tourism Organization satisfied by greater visa openness

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) released data regarding visa openness for travelers on Friday while UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai expressed his satisfaction that it was becoming easier for travelers to obtain travel visas.

The latest UNWTO visa openness report shows that the number of tourists who need to obtain a visa before travelling has dropped to its lowest-ever level and that in 2015, 39 percent of the world's population was able to travel for tourism purposes without needing to secure a visa before starting their trip.

That compares very favorably with the mere 23 percent who were able to travel without a visa in 2008.

Of the 39 percent, 18 percent of travelers didn't need a visa at all, 15 percent were able to obtain one on arrival at their destination and six percent got eVisas.

Rifai explained that "prioritizing travel facilitation is central to stimulating economic growth and job creation through tourism. We are pleased to see that a growing number of governments around the world think likewise."

He added that despite the current threats of terrorism from groups such as Daesh (Islamic State), "enhancing security and facilitating tourism travel should always go hand-in-hand at a moment when safety and security are top of the agenda for all of us."

He said nations and the UNWTO needed "to work closer together to promote a safe, secure, and seamless travel environment by using the possibilities offered by technology and international cooperation in data sharing."

The report shows that Southeast Asia, East Africa, the Caribbean and Oceania were the most open areas with Central Africa, North Africa and North America the most complicated places for visitors to enter. Endit