By Michael Baginski/   With thousands of travel trade professionals from around the world – typically including well over a hundred Canadians – set to descend on Chicago this weekend for the U.S. travel industry’s signature IPW trade show (June 14-18), the U.S. Travel Association has issued a notable and sign-of-the-times guide to entering the country for delegates.

The atypical offering on “what to expect upon arrival and how to ensure a hassle-free experience at the border” comes at time of unprecedented fear by many travellers about going to the U.S. based on stories – both warranted and, in some cases, exaggerated – of people being overly questioned (including, “Do you like the president?”), unduly searched, turned back, or even detained.

It’s a situation U.S. Travel – the national, non-profit organization that represents all components of the U.S. travel industry – calls “a greater emphasis on enforcing immigration laws” by the current U.S. administration.

Nevertheless, in its statement, Michael Martin, Director, International Buyer Engagement for the U.S. Travel Association maintains that “the entry process remains unchanged for most international travellers,” adding, “recent media stories about denied entries often involve travellers with prior immigration or visa issues flagged by Customs and Border Protection (CBP).”

Martin says simply, “If you are well-prepared, truthful and follow the proper procedures, your arrival should be smooth and stress-free.”

He goes further to claim, “In fact, many of the entry requirements in place for foreign visitors to the U.S. are like those American travellers face themselves when travelling abroad.”

The “Know Before You Go” guide, which can serve to advise any intended traveller to the U.S., can be found HERE.

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