Councilman Tom Berg Pushes for China Visa Waiver To Create More Tourism Jobs for Hawaii

(HONOLULU HALE)– West Oahu Councilman Tom Berg introduced City Council Resolution 11-274 urging the President of the United States, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Homeland Security to work to include the People’s Republic of China in the Visa Waiver Program and to simplify or relax visa requirements and procedures for citizens of China to encourage tourism and business travel to the United States.

In response to the demand by Hawaii tourism and business leaders interested in promoting more tourism in Hawaii, Councilman Tom Berg introduced resolution 11-274.

The visa waiver program was established by the United States in 1986 to eliminate unnecessary barriers to travel and stimulate the tourism industry.

The Visa Waiver Program enables nationals of thirty-six countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of ninety days or less without obtaining a visa.

“There is a great potential for growth in visitors from the People’s Republic of China to Hawaii,” said Rep. Tom Brower, the Chair of the House Committee on Tourism.

“The recent inclusion of the Republic of Korea in the Visa Waiver resulted in double number of visitor arrivals from Korea,” said Councilman Tom Berg, “we need to encourage visitors from the People’s Republic of China to boost our tourism industry and create jobs for our local workers.

This past weekend Rep. Karen Awana the chair of the House Committee on International Affairs and Rep. Tom Brower the chair of the House Committee on Tourism and Councilman Tom Berg’s Senior Policy Advisor Philmund Lee met with leaders of the Tourism, Business and Chinese community to promote the China Visa Waiver.

They received an overwhelming response and expression of support for the China Visa Resolution.

“I will be promoting a resolution for a Visa Waiver for China at the Hawaii House of Representatives,” said Representative Karen Awana, the Chair of the House Committee on International Affairs, “to boost our local economy.”

###