Return to travel has been accelerating exponentially since the COVID-19 pandemic, with travel spending set to return to 2019 volumes by 2024 (two years earlier than predicted). The surge in demand for tourist and business Visas is resulting in processing delays, causing economic repercussions for the U.S. tourism sector. The need to create a frictionless experience by overcoming any legislative or procedural obstacles preventing travelers from border crossing is becoming vital.

In this episode of The Open World Podcast, host Ray Rackham dives into ongoing post-pandemic challenges, State Department processing delays, and long Visa wait times. He is joined by Shane Downey, Vice President of Government Relations at The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the authoritative voice of the $1.4 trillion business travel industry.

Ray and Shane discuss GBTA's ongoing advocacy efforts, from urging the U.S. to expand 'pre-clearance' at foreign airports for U.S.-bound flights to political interventions aiming to reduce visa wait times through the Visa Processing Improvement Act. GBTA’s support extends across other countries and regions, including the European Union.