Nevadans push plan for visa waivers for foreign tourists

Benjamin Grove

Tuesday, April 4, 2000 | 11:52 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Congress may make it easier for international travelers to come to U.S. tourist meccas such as Las Vegas.

Congress is considering a bill that would allow foreign tourists from some nations into America without a visa. U.S. officials already have tested the concept in a pilot program that began in 1988. The program, which has been renewed every two years, now includes 29 nations, mostly wealthy countries such as Brunei, Japan and France.

Some Nevada officials hope Congress gives those nations -- and others in the future -- permanent visa waiver status.

"We want to make sure Nevada gets its share of international tourists," Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt said.

Hunt, among other officials, has tried to promote Nevada to foreign tourists, traveling to Singapore with showgirls in tow last year. Singapore is one of the nations that is now part of the visa-waiver program.

"This program has already shown its worthiness in its ability to allow tourists to cut through the red tape," Hunt said.

Under the bill, foreign travelers still need a passport to come to the United States. But they would be spared the cost -- usually $45 or more -- and the time and trouble it takes to apply for a visa. A visa is official U.S. permission for a traveler to enter the country.

"This is a top priority for the tourism industry because it makes it so much easier for foreigners to travel to Reno and Las Vegas," Nevada's lobbyist in Washington, Mike Pieper, said.

Visitors without visas are allowed 90 days in the United States to travel for tourism or business, but they may not get jobs or attend school. Nevada officials say the easing of travel requirements has brought more tourists to Las Vegas from around the globe, including Taiwan, the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy.

"We can't just rely on domestic tourists," Chris Chrystal, a spokeswoman for the Nevada Commission on Tourism, said. "You've got a whole world out there. We're trying to show other nations that we really want their business."