President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama’s involvement in the bid to host the 2016 Olympics in Chicago did not fetch a victory, but has indeed carved a way to attract more international visitors to U.S. What was that one factor about Chicago that was discerned as unconducive for Olympics by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) members? – United States Homeland Security and TSA. The conscientious procedures associated with the entry into U.S. received a distinct resistance from the IOC, which was evident when an IOC member pointed out that entering the United States can be “a rather harrowing experience”, during the question-and-answer session following Chicago’s official presentation.

In response to the antagonism expressed at the Olympics bid regarding the stringency  of the processes involved in traveling to U.S., Roger Dow, CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, during his recent meeting with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napalitano on October 1st, stated – “When IOC members are commenting to our President that foreign visitors find traveling to the United States a ‘pretty harrowing experience,’ we need to take seriously the challenge of reforming our entry process to ensure there is a welcome mat to our friends around the world, even as we ensure a secure system. At the same time, the Travel Promotion Act is an important step in making sure international travelers know we want them to visit our country.”

The Olympic Effect, marked by the loss of Chicago, which was conceded as a potential contender for 2016 Olympics, primarily due to the President’s association, has initiated remodeling of the Homeland Security and TSA procedures, thus making them less intimidating for international travelers. It has been anticipated that this move will expedite the approval of the Travel Promotion Act by the U.S House of Representatives, strengthening the travel related statistics of the nation. The Olympic Effect is indeed expected to boost tourism in U.S.! It is certainly not a bad time to plan a vacation to U.S. and visit the east coast by booking one of those popular New York Tours, Washington D.C. Tours or travel to the west coast by exploring various Los Angeles vacation packages!