Travel facilitation, tourism and growth

This chapter considers the impact on travel and tourism of visa and entry policies which control the movement of people across national borders. It is based on recent work by the OECD Tourism Committee and draws on case study material from OECD and partner countries. The chapter considers the potential for smarter approaches to support tourism and economic growth, while simultaneously maintaining the integrity and security of national borders. The issues and challenges policy makers face in developing and implementing policy in this area are outlined. The different approaches governments have adopted, and their impacts, are also highlighted. A number of policy considerations are then discussed, to inform policy making and contribute to the current debate on travel facilitation.