Countries worldwide are relaxing entry requirements for Latin American tourists, as evidenced by the United Kingdom’s decision to favor travelers from Colombia, Peru, and Guyana.
Bolivia is on the verge of no longer requiring a Schengen visa, and Colombia is pushing the U.S. to lift visa requirements for Colombian tourists.
The U.K.’s decision to exempt nationals of Colombia, Peru and Guyana from tourist visa requirements will facilitate the arrival of Latin American tourists in Europe amid economic difficulties in several European countries.
In the case of Colombia, the resolution was announced on Sept. 18 through a statement released on Twitter by the British Embassy in Bogotá, which said the decision was made by the British Parliament and approved “after a comprehensive and rigorous assessment process.”
The new measures will apply from Nov. 9 to visitors from Colombia, Peru, and Guyana entering the United Kingdom for up to six months.
However, the requirements for working, studying, and settling in the country remain unchanged.
According to British Ambassador to Colombia George Hodgson, the abolition of the visitor visa “represents a major step forward in relations between Colombia and the United Kingdom,” It is hoped that this measure will help increase the number of Colombian tourists in the country.
The move adds the United Kingdom to the list of countries in the region that allow tourists to enter the country without a visa.
Currently, 28 E.U. countries have a visa waiver for short stays, that is, for a maximum of 90 days in 180 days, whether continuous or not.
According to a unique European report on tourism published in 2021, the E.U. is the most visited region in the world.
Before the pandemic, the 27 countries of the bloc received nearly 539 million international tourists, representing almost 37% of world tourism and generating more than 383,000 revenues.
Of the total, 219 million visitors came from the Americas, accounting for 15% of tourism and generating revenues of 305 billion euros (US$298 billion).
Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina are the major countries of origin for tourists from the region who prefer to visit Europe. ‘
For the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), 2022 will be a year of recovery for European tourism.
The relaxation for tourists from Latin America comes after introducing health passports and progress in global vaccination after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Europe will also introduce the ETIAS electronic permit system by 2023, simplifying entry into European territory for tourists and short-stay business travelers.
PETRO WANTS THE U.S. NOT TO ASK COLOMBIANS FOR VISAS
The Latin American country is far from satisfied with the flexibility of the United Kingdom and wants to make it easier for Colombians to enter the United States.
Thus, on Oct. 28, an official meeting will be held between Colombia and the United States to discuss, among other things, the abolition of tourist visas.
Colombia’s ambassador to Washington, Luis Gilberto Murillo, has expressed concern about delays in bureaucratic procedures for granting entry permits to the country.
In recent interviews, the representative in the U.S. said, “It does not look good and creates problems that it takes almost 850 days for a person to receive an appointment after the application is submitted.”
For this reason, the ambassador reiterated that discussions are underway with the U.S. government to allow Colombians to travel as tourists without applying for a visa.
BOLIVIA SEEKS LIFTING OF SCHENGEN VISA REQUIREMENT
In line with neighboring countries’ goals, Bolivia tourists could also benefit from facilitation.
Speaking to the Bolivian newspaper El Deber, Spanish Ambassador to Bolivia Francisco Javier Gassó regretted that the Schengen visa requirement – an association of 26 European countries with standard border controls – remains in place for tourists, business travelers, and short-term travelers and advocated for a change in regulations.
In this sense, the diplomat assured Bolivia had made progress in ensuring security at its airports and document controls for its nationals.
However, Gassó clarified that the European Union members must take a “political decision” unanimously and that the Spanish government’s approval is not enough.
The Spanish diplomat’s comments come days after the Spanish Congress passed a new grandchildren’s law that could grant citizenship to thousands of Latin American grandchildren of Spaniards who emigrated for political reasons in the early 20th century.
With information from Sputnik