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| U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo |
Washington, D.C. — October 29, 2024 - U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo held a press conference today to highlight the significant economic benefits of travel and tourism in the United States.
At the event, Secretary Blinken emphasized the important role the State Department plays in connecting Americans and international visitors through the issuance of visas and passports. He noted that these connections enhance work, education, and tourism across the globe.
Blinken announced that in Fiscal Year 2024, the U.S. issued a record 11.5 million visas, including 8.5 million visitor visas, which is a 10% increase compared to the previous year. He remarked that visa wait times have decreased dramatically, down nearly 60% from pandemic highs, with current waits for first-time visitor visas averaging fewer than 60 days.
Looking ahead, the government plans to add 1 million more visa appointments in Fiscal Year 2025 to support upcoming major sporting events, including the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics.
Secretary Raimondo highlighted the economic impact of travel and tourism, noting that the industry supports nearly 10 million jobs and contributes $2.3 trillion to the economy. After a challenging period during COVID-19, she expressed optimism, stating that the industry is on track to fully recover by next year, potentially welcoming 90 million visitors by 2026.
Both Blinken and Raimondo spoke about the efforts to make travel easier and more efficient, with Raimondo specifically thanking the teams from both departments for their collaboration to streamline visa processing.
In conclusion, Blinken and Raimondo stressed that improving travel will not only benefit the economy but also help people connect for joy and celebration through events like sports, arts, and culture.
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