WASHINGTON, D.C., July 27 – AAHOA President and CEO Chip Rogers issued the following
statement in response to the introduction of the Jobs Originated Through Launching Travel
(JOLT) Act which promotes international travel to the United States by expanding the Visa
Waiver Program:
“International visitors are a key contributor to the American economy who, on average, spend
$4,500 per person during their visits. Unfortunately, the process to obtain a visa is outdated and
needlessly complicated. The JOLT Act would bring U.S. visa regulations into the 21st century
and make it easier for international visitors to travel in and out of the country while maintaining
necessary security protocols. Currently, the citizens of 38 countries can travel to the U.S. for up
to 90 days without having to go through the process of obtaining a visa, but this program can and
should be extended to other select countries. By streamlining the visa waiver program, the JOLT
Act would bring more travelers to the U.S. and create more business for hoteliers and all facets
of the travel and tourism industry. This opens the door for greater job creation, increased worker
wages, and overall business expansion. America’s hotel owners support this bipartisan
legislation and call Congress to pass the JOLT Act.”
