Visa Waiver Program to double number of Korean travellers to US

According to the Korea times, the number of Korean travellers to the United States is expected to double over the next three years after the US invited South Korea to participate in its Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

As of next Monday, 17 November 2008, South Koreans can travel to the US for up to 90 days without having a visa for America.

In 1986, the number of visitors to America from Japan doubled in three years after they were included in the VWP. Aviation experts and tourism operators expect a similar trend in South Korea.

Korean Air announced they would resume flights to America that were cut in September due to diminishing demand, and has already replaced the Incheon-Los Angeles-Sao Paulo route, which they had cut after the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Asiana Airlines also confirmed it would be increasing the number of flights between America and the US to meet expected demand.

"We expect the demand for flights to the U.S. to increase by about 12 percent and annual gains by some 25 billion won," an official from Asiana said.

The American Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in American visa and immigration services.

Article by Jessica Bird, American Visa Bureau.