Articles tagged “state department”

Online Travel

Google Unveils New AI-Powered Travel Tools

Today's podcast looks at Google's new AI tools, the U.S. State Department's new approach to visa wait times, and Australia's new record number of Indian tourists.

Google Unveils New AI-Powered Travel Tools

Tourism

U.S. to Spend $50 Million to Cut Visa Wait Times and Passport Backlogs

The U.S. government is putting more financial resources toward cutting its excessive visa wait times. Let's hope it gets the job done.

U.S. to Spend $50 Million to Cut Visa Wait Times and Passport Backlogs

Tourism

Bahamas Bookings Fall After Safety Alert

Today's podcast looks at the Bahamas safety issue, Expedia’s bad business travel deal, and flying taxis in Dubai.

Bahamas Bookings Fall After Safety Alert

Tourism

U.S. Passport Wait Times Return to Normal After 2 Years of Lengthy Delays

The return of more normal processing times is critical as Americans travel abroad in massive numbers.

U.S. Passport Wait Times Return to Normal After 2 Years of Lengthy Delays

Tourism

U.S. Embassy Issues Record Visas, Extended Wait Times Persist: India Report

The issue of long wait times for U.S. visas, particularly for Indian applicants, stands out amidst the overall increase in U.S. visa applications and issuances.

U.S. Embassy Issues Record Visas, Extended Wait Times Persist: India Report

Tourism

U.S. Travel Caution FAQ: What the State Department Advice Means for Travelers

This worldwide caution for Americans to stay alert in tourist spots, even often safe European capitals, is quite notable.

U.S. Travel Caution FAQ: What the State Department Advice Means for Travelers

News Blog

U.S. State Department Cautions Americans About Travel Worldwide Amid Unrest

The U.S. Department of State issued a "worldwide caution" to all Americans traveling abroad on Thursday. It urged them to stay alert due to heightened tensions in various locations, potential terrorist attacks and violent actions against U.S. citizens. The caution is in response to the ongoing the war between Israel and Hamas. Americans traveling abroad…

Tourism

New Tourism Secretary Won’t Be ‘Panacea’ for U.S. Travel Troubles

The U.S. travel industry should lower their expectations that the assistant secretary for travel and tourism will make their jobs easier.

New Tourism Secretary Won’t Be ‘Panacea’ for U.S. Travel Troubles

News Blog

U.S. to Allow Visa-Free Travel for Israeli Tourists

The U.S. has added Israel to the Visa Waiver Program, the U.S. Department of State announced Wednesday. Starting November 30, Israeli citizens and nationals will be to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business without first obtaining a visitor visa for up to 90 days. Israeli citizens and nationals will only need to complete…

News Blog

U.S. Visitor Visa Wait Times in India Drop by 50 Percent

The amount of time a first-time visitor visa applicant in India has to wait for an interview has fallen from an average of 669 days in mid-March to 337 days in early April, a 50 percent drop, according to the U.S. Travel Association.  The industry lobby group attributed the wait time reduction to the State…