Experts from the travel and tourism industry are calling out for the introduction of measures that create easier access to travel worldwide during a session at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference on Sunday.
The global travel and tourism industry contributes massively to the global economies.
“It accounts for one in every 11 jobs… nine per cent of global GDP,” said Geoffrey Breeze, executive director at the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).
However, despite the industry’s positive developments, there remains the issue of barriers to travel. These include visa restrictions, inadequate infrastructure, restricted approaches to taxation and employment, Breeze said.
Travel may be easily accessible to several nationalities in the UAE, the situation is not the same in other countries, according to Gary Chapman, President Group Services and DNATA, Emirates Group.
“Globally, there are pockets of… resistance,” Chapman said.
However, there are countries that are trying to resolve this issue.
A case in point: In an attempt to grant easier access to visas for the Chinese, the US established more visa processing centres across the country, he said.
“The more people that can travel freely between countries…it doesn’t mean that it will be less on the security point of view,” rather it will create a common system that enhances security, said Gerald Lawless, President and Group CEO at Jumeirah Group, commenting on some countries’ decision to not give out visas to individuals from certain countries viewed as a security threat. He added that there is an electronic visa system that the group is trying to introduce globally by 2020.
Meanwhile, In terms of taxation policies, with the UK being a prime example, governments need to be aware that it’s not good for the economy, according to Chapman.
“Tax on travel is an inhibitor,” Chapman said.
The British government has imposed heavy taxes on air travel — Air Passenger Duty —for the past few years. For instance, the tax on short-haul economy class travellers stands at 13 pounds.
