UNWTO Seeks to Ease Holiday Visa Restrictions Across Countries, say Holiday Hypermarket

LONDON, November 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

-Tourism ministers and industry leaders have pledged to ease entry procedures for tourists-

The chairman of the executive board of TUI Travel - parent company for Holiday Hypermarket - joined a panel of ministers from around the world recently to discuss easing border control requirements for holidaymakers.

The discussion took place at the 2012 UNWTO & WTM Ministers' Summit, held in London, and brought key members of the private and public sector together to discuss stimulating countries' economic growth through tourism.

Public sector panellists included ministers from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Indonesia, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

For those living in the UK, visa requirements are dependent on a person's type of British nationality. Some countries, such as Australia, require visas on arrival, while visiting countries such as Cuba, India and China requires pre-arrival visas.

E-Commerce Manager at Holiday Hypermarket, Calum Macdonald, comments: "Applying for visas before travelling or paying expensive fees at arrival gates is not a great way to start a holiday, whether you're heading to the Caribbean for leisure or doing business in the Middle East.

"We see this Ministers' Summit not only as a way to relax the barriers between us but also to generate jobs and support tourism worldwide. This is an industry that is absolutely essential for many countries as it creates opportunities for employment in countless goods and services industries."

About Holiday Hypermarket:

Holiday Hypermarket (http://www.holidayhypermarket.co.uk/) is a UK based holiday comparison community. We are passionate about helping people in the UK explore, learn and enjoy the world by removing the obstacles that keep them from getting the most out of their holidays. We do this by providing a travel comparison site that allows you to effortlessly find the best deals with the assistance of a knowledgeable community of fellow travellers who love to share travel advice.

With Holiday Hypermarket you have access to a huge number of travel suppliers which will help you choose either a late deal or your next year's summer holiday. This, combined with our excellent customer service and vibrant online community, makes Holiday Hypermarket a great place to start exploring the world.