United States Senator, Mazie Hirono, is proposing a new bill which would allow citizens of Hong Kong to enter the United States without a visa. Currently, the law states that only countries are eligible for the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. Since Hong Kong is technically not a country, but rather a self-governing region of China, Hirono stated that a special provision needed to be added to the existing law to make Hong Kong citizens eligible. Hirono stated, “This bipartisan legislation is one example of how just a small legislative change can have a big impact on Hawaii’s economy. Right now, people in Hong Kong can visit more than 140 countries and territories without visas, but these potential Hawaii tourists must still endure a time-consuming visa approval process in order to come to the United States. By fixing the visa waiver process for visitors from Hong Kong, we can make it easier for thousands of tourists from this region to come to Hawaii.”
According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hong Kong visitors who travel to Hawaii spend an average of $230 per day while in the islands. This is almost 20 percent higher then the average visitor.
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 4-12-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
