The US is expecting 90 million visitors by 2026 with record-breaking visas approved
The United States will see 90 million visitors by 2026, according to State Department Secretary Antony Blinken and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.
The announcement comes as a record 8.5 million tourist visas were issued out of a total of 11.5 million visas in FY 2024.
The State Department announced that visa wait times have dropped by nearly 60%.
FLORIDA'S WATERS ARE SPOTLIGHT AMONG NATURAL WONDERS THAT INSPIRATE VISITOR YEARS AGO.
A State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital via email, “More people can travel to the United States today than ever before, and we are committed to maintaining this positive trend.”
The news comes as preparations are being made for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, California – to welcome sports fans from around the world.
The US expects to greet 90 million visitors by 2026 as visas broke the record 11.5 million issued in fiscal year 2024. (Stock)
“We are doing everything possible to raise our standard to ensure that everyone who comes to this country for these amazing events, and many more, get their visas on time and in a smooth manner,” he said. Secretary Blinken at a press conference on Tuesday.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LIFE NEWSLETTER
Secretary Raimondo said at the conference that the departments indicated that the tourism industry will have fully recovered from the effects of the COVID epidemic next year.
The travel and tourism industry today generates $2.3 trillion in economic activity, says the Department of Commerce. (Stock)
“Travel and tourism is not just entertainment and it's not just profitable, like you said; it's real business. It's real economic activity, keeping millions of good-paying jobs in this country,” Raimondo said.
Travel and tourism today support nearly 10 million American jobs, generating $2.3 trillion in economic activity, according to the Commerce Department.
CLICK HERE FOR THE NEWS PROGRAM
“Demand for US visas is very high. In order to meet the needs of visa services for our prospective visitors, we are continuously exploring new opportunities and exploring other opportunities to facilitate operations,” said a State Department spokesperson.
For more lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyle
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Commerce Department for further comment.
Source link
