Global Immigration Immigration News

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced that they believe easier visa processes are important and integral to stimulating economic growth and job creation throughout the tourism industry.The WTTC argued that the G20 Countries which consists of many of the major economies in the World has an important duty to help boost their international tourist numbers. Research by the WTTC stated that the G20 could boost tourism numbers by an additional 122 million, generating an extra USD$206 billion in tourism exports and creating over five million additional jobs by 2015.

The South African government has announced that they are working to deal with the high number of asylum-seeker claims they continue to receive. Currently, South Africa receives more individual asylum claims than any other country.

The Cuban government has announced plans to remove many of the restrictions that have prevented Cuban citizens from travelling or emigrating abroad according to National Assembly president Ricardo Alarcon.Alarcon commented on the issue saying that Cuba is "working towards a profound radical reform of emigration." While he didn't divulge on all of the details, he noted that it was a priority issue for the government.

International immigrants rights groups have called on labor ministers of 19 Asian and Middle Eastern countries to push for further protections for migrant workers. Specifically, they urged local officials from Asian and Middle Eastern countries to lobby against laws and policies that expose migrant workers to abuse and exploitation.

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) says that strict visa requirements in various countries are hurting the tourism industry and, in turn, damaging the World economy. David Scowsill, president of the WTTC, voiced his concerns at the council's annual summit in Tokyo, highlighting the freedom to travel as a key issue.