Travel companies must educate holiday-goers
27 January 2009 07:56
The travel industry has been urged to raise awareness of new legislation following research showing that holidaymakers are unaware of the holiday insurance implications of the new system for entry into the US.
A survey by Travelsupermarket.com revealed that 57 per cent of travellers were unaware that they are required to register online to be eligible for the US Visa Waiver Programme (VWP).
That is despite the fact that they would not be covered by their family holiday insurance in the event that their application was denied.
Peter Smith, head of flights at the comparison site, explained that the introduction of the US VWP's new Electronic System for Travel Authorisation could have been handled more effectively.
He said: "Awareness needs to be raised by the press and via the travel companies themselves."
Mr Smith also urged passengers to check the Foreign Commonwealth Office website for health, visa or special travel insurance requirements for the destination they are travelling to.
Travelsupermarket.com's January survey also revealed that nine per cent of people have been unable to make a journey to another country because their passport had less than six months to run before expiration. 
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