Long customs lines drive foreigners to other countries

Published March 19, 2013 4:00am ET



“Embarrassingly” long customs lines are pushing foreign visitors to other nations, and if Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano can’t fix the problem the travel industry will suffer a $95 billion hit and be forced to dump 518,900 jobs, according to the U.S. Travel Association.

“Too many visitors to our country — one in three — report that they have experienced a customs process that they believe is inconsistent, confusing or embarrassing,” said Roger Dow, the association’s president. “As the United States spends millions to recapture the world’s interest and inspire international travelers to visit, we are failing to address a galling entry experience that is driving 43 percent of our guests to tell others to avoid travel to our country.”

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