VEGAS INC Magazine - Latest Las Vegas business news, features and commentaries about gaming, tourism, real estate and more
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/129449
talking points Conflating tourism and immigration Thursday, May 16th, 2013 International visitors caught up in domestic dispute Las Vegas Country Club Awesome 80's" Theme " 7:30AM Registration | 9AM Shotgun Start Breakfast, Lunch, Foursomes SOLD OUT! Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available Questions? Contact us (702) 735-5700 www.LinksForLifeFoundation.org/nevada Las Vegas' No.1 Business Resource Has Never Been More Important. Get your one-year subscription to and we'll include our best leads via email. All for only $50 a year. VEGASINC.COM/SUBSCRIBE For additional information call 800.254.2610 or email subscriptions@gmgvegas.com 6 20130513_VI06_F.indd 6 by Richard N. Velotta T he battle over immigration reform could get heated, and local tourism leaders hope the federal government's efforts to reduce visa and generate as much as $859 billion by wait times aren't lost in the shuffle. 2020. But any amount would be a huge Republican Rep. Joe Heck hopes to give the system a "JOLT." He introduced benefit to Las Vegas. So what's the hang-up? the Jobs Originated through Launch"The idea behind the travel and ing Travel Act in March and recently tourism visa somehow gets lost and met with tourism leaders to drum confused with the general immigration up support for the bill, which would debate," Heck told me. "Folks are just reform outdated visa laws. Heck said that between 2000 and 2010, Many prospective tourists dismiss international travel trips to the United States because grew by 40 percent, while the U.S. market of a cumbersome application share fell from 17 perprocess or because they can't get cent to 12 percent. He attributes the downturn a visa interview in time. to an inefficient visa application process. Many concerned about bringing up anything prospective tourists dismiss trips to that has to do with immigration. That's the United States because of a cumberwhat we're trying to break through. some application process or because We've got to address the broken legal they can't get a visa interview in time. immigration system, which not only Building international arrivals has deals with those wanting to come here been a key economic strategy for Las as immigrants but those who want to Vegas for years. Clark County invested come here for business or as a tourist. heavily in a new international air We've got to get the people on the comterminal, and the Las Vegas Convenmittees to realize that these are two tion and Visitors Authority hopes to different issues." increase international tourism from Heck said he hasn't seen any opposi16 percent to 30 percent by 2020. tion to his legislation. The rest of the The LVCVA sees South America as Nevada delegation is on board with a tourism gold mine. Thousands of JOLT, and tourism associations nationBrazilians are learning more about wide have endorsed the plan. Las Vegas and want to come here. The In 2011, Heck tried to legislate similar LVCVA even sent emissaries to South visa reforms with the "Welcoming BusiAmerica to market Nevada. Panama's Copa Airlines also sees rich ness Travelers and Tourists to America Act." Some lawmakers got stuck on potential in the market. Copa in June provisions that would have allowed started running three nonstop flights teleconferencing for visa interviews. a week from Panama City to McCarran Heck says he doesn't expect to face the International Airport. It has since same issue in the JOLT debate. expanded to offer daily flights. What could be problematic, however, Copa flies tourists from several locais that in opponents' zeal to close the tions in South and Central America to Panama City, where they change planes doors to immigration, they also could block visitors who want to spend only for a flight to Las Vegas. a few days in Las Vegas for business Heck said the JOLT Act could attract or pleasure. If that happens, they'll be as many as 98 million more visitors to diverting tourism dollars, too. the United States, create a million jobs | 1 3 M AY 2 0 1 3 | 5/9/13 2:15:46 PM