National Business Travel Association (NBTA) Executive Director and COO Bill Connors urged the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Subcommittee on European Affairs to support business travel…
National Business Travel Association (NBTA) Executive Director and COO Bill Connors urged the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Subcommittee on European Affairs to support business travel and travelers in the implementation of new security regulations. Connors testified on the importance of ensuring that the Computer Assisted Passenger Prescreening System (CAPPSII) contains accurate data, protects passenger privacy, allows for corrections of erroneous data, and enables passengers to appeal decisions.
Connors requested that the current October 2004 deadline set for countries participating in Visa Waiver Program to provide biometric information in passports be extended, noting the importance of international travel to economic recovery in the United States. He also recommended that the US VISIT program be backed with necessary staffing levels at U.S. entry points. “NBTA joins with others in requesting the October 26, 2004 biometric passport deadline for Visa Waiver Countries be extended immediately,” Connors said. “Anything that slows the healthy exchange of commerce between the US and our trading partners may jeopardize our current economic recovery.”
The subcommittee, chaired by Senator George Allen (R-VA), heard testimony from several travel and security representatives on transportation and tourism issues between the United States and the European Union.
Connors concluded his testimony by recommending the formation of a permanent, national advisory board that would enable the travel industry to consistently and effectively provide input on important political and economic issues related to travel.
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