THE World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in its latest Visa Openess Report, has revealed that travel visa requirements globally have dropped to its lowest level in history.
As of last year, 39 per cent of the world’s population could travel for tourism without obtaining visas prior to departure, compared to 23 per cent in 2008.
Breaking the numbers down further, on average, 18 per cent of the world’s population was able to travel to a destination without a visa in 2015, while another 15 per cent could receive a visa on arrival, while six per cent was able to obtain e-visas.
As well, emerging economies remain more open than advanced economies. At the regional level, South-east Asia, east Africa, the Caribbean and Oceania remain the most open areas while central and north Africa, as well as north America were in 2015 the most restrictive.
“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,” said UNWTO secretary-general, Taleb Rifai.
“The current security challenges should not deter us from advancing visa facilitation. On the contrary, enhancing security and facilitating tourism travel should always go hand in hand.”
He added: “In fact, at a moment when safety and security are top of the agenda for all of us, we need 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.”
