b'LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORStrong Forecasts for Domestic Travel AT THE HELMJOHN GROUNDWATER // EXECUTIVE DIRECTORD espite lingering worries about a recession and increases inPermanently extend interview waiver authority for low-risk visitor, interest rates, experts are calling for strong domestic travelworker, and student visas.trends this season with consumers placing a priority on travel over other purchases. Create expedited and in-country processing options for B-categoryvisa applicants, while retaining the authority to require travelers to In research conducted by Longwoods International, a tourism-basedleave the country and complete an in-person interview.travel and tourism-based research consulting company, data indi-cates that 93 percent of U.S. travelers are planning to take trips in theExpand access to the H-2B guest worker program by including lan-next six months. guage in FY2024 appropriations that exempts returning workersfrom the annual H-2B cap.Inflation, higher interest rates and other economic headwinds are no match for consumer demand for travel, said Amir Eylon, President Allocate $3.5 million in FY2024 appropriations to fully fund theand CEO of Longwoods International. The outlook for spring breaknew Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourisma travel and summer travel is very positive. position that will be responsible for developing and implementing a national strategy to expand the travel economy.Mr. Eylon gave a very insightful keynote address on results of research on the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on travel and tourismSet aside at least $60.1 million in FY2024 appropriations for the trends in the U.S. during the PVA Annual Convention at MariTrendshiring of additional Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers2022 in Covington, Ky. and training.The company goes on to say, The travel planned for the next sixWhile PVA has not taken a formal position on this issue, it will most months is even more impressive when you consider that a quarter of allassuredly be discussed in future committee and board meetings. travelers report that concerns about their personal financial situation will greatly impact their travel decisions in the next six months. ARE YOU TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE CCF?In late 2022, PVA had a major legislative victory when Congress ex-This, of course, is welcome news for those in the travel and tourismpanded the eligibility of passenger vessel operators to participate in industry including passenger vessel operators.the Capital Construction Fund (CCF). This was a longstanding goalof PVA, and it now allows up to an estimated 200 PVA members to While domestic travel is expected to be strong in 2023, internationalparticipate in this important program. Administered by the U.S. Mari-travel to the U.S. is not expected to make a full recovery until 2025,time Administration , the program is essentially a maritime IRA where according to the U.S. Travel Association. Over the last few months,a private U.S. passenger vessel operatorregardless of the type of ser-several PVA members have expressed concern about current long waitvicecan accumulate capital tax-free for constructing, reconstruct-times for international visa applications. They see this as being one ofing, or acquiring a vessel. Fund withdrawals are also tax free if they are the main things discouraging international visitors from coming toused for allowable purposes. the U.S. The U.S. Travel Association states that wait times for visitor visa interviews now exceed 400 days for first-time applicants. TheyI encourage you to consider this important program in your capital estimate that this situation prevents approximately 6.6 million visitorsplanning. For complete information about the CCF, visit the Maritime from traveling to the U.S. The projected loss in related spending isAdministrations site. $11.6 billion. The U.S. Travel Association has set the following goals to help solve this looming problem: SPRING TRAINING WITH PVA RESOURCESAs you gear up for spring crew training, do not forget to incorporateEliminate the vaccine requirement for inbound international trav- PVAs members-only training resources into your training programs.elers immediately. These tools can be easily accessed through the PVA website by clicking on Member Resources. Available topics include:Authorize remote interviews over videoconferencing for low-risknon-immigrant visa applicants. Safety and Crew Training Tools Online Learning Management System Portal Establish a visa interview wait time standard of 21 days and give the Rail Jumper Note from the Coast Guard State Department the flexibility to transfer funds to consular postsRail Jumper Safety Guidancewith average wait times above 45 days. PVA Member Employee HandbookContinued on page 417 APRIL 2023'