With the U.S. government relaxing entry norms for tourists, the country is expecting to see more international visitors. To enjoy your vacation, make sure you have international travel insurance before you pack your bags.
U.S. tourism is all set to see happy days ahead with the federal
government making it easier for international visitors to get through
customs. Targeting mainly tourists from Brazil and China who are able
and willing to spend, President Obama plans to speed up the
non-immigrant visa approval process by making the Global Entry Program
permanent. Obama is also looking to enhance the Visa Waiver Program
which permits citizens from some countries to travel visa-free within
the US for up to 90 days. All this is expected to reverse the trend of
declining visitors since 9/11 and also give the US economy the
much-needed shot-in-the-arm by providing more people with jobs.
The
number of visas that will be issued to citizens of Brazil and China is
expected to increase by 40% within the next year. While visitors from
these countries usually had to wait many months to obtain a visa, the
new rules will help them get it done in just three weeks. Low-risk
travelers – those traveling for visa renewal or on a relatively young or
old scale – will no longer have to go through the interview process.
Florida
is already topping the list as the favorite destination for Brazilians.
According to the state’s tourism officials, the proportion of tourists
from Brazil in 2011 went up 41% from 2010 and outnumbered vacationers
from all other countries. They head for the beaches, theme parks and
malls, enjoying the weather which is similar to Brazil’s. With prices
cheaper in the U.S., most Brazilians love here shopping too.
International
travel is fun just as long as you take the right precautions. If you
are planning a vacation in the U.S., make sure you purchase
international travel medical insurance.
This will cover you if you happen to fall sick or have an accident at
your destination. You can even extend your international travel insurance plan to cover trip cancellations, baggage loss and other unexpected events.
By obtaining Travel Insurance your needs are taken care of if there were
to be a trip cancellation or delay due to weather or other outside
circumstances. This can save you a lot of money in the long run so that
you do not have to purchase your trip a second time. You will be 100%
reimbursed if something were to happen and you had to cancel your trip
as well. Travel Insurance will also cover any lost or damaged luggage,
medical emergencies. As you can imagine the amount of money you save
yourself by having Travel Insurance not only covers your physical needs
but also saves you the stress of knowing how much money you will lose if
something does happen. Because of this you can relax and enjoy your
trip stress-free!
Tracy McManamon is a health and travel insurance consultant at One Source Benefits. He offers affordable travel medical insurance plans from leading providers in the industry.
