WASHINGTON (September 18, 2018)—U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow issued the following statement on comments by President Trump during the visit of Polish President Andrzej Duda that the administration will explore adding Poland to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP):

“The U.S. travel community has long evangelized the Visa Waiver Program as perhaps the best and easiest way to strengthen economic and security ties with our strategic partners, and Poland would be a very logical next addition to the program.

“History shows that expansion of the VWP dramatically increases arrivals of secure, pre-vetted business and leisure travelers into the United States—boosting U.S. exports along with them—while enhancing anti-terrorism cooperation with the new member country. Poland, as a firmly pro-U.S. democracy with an ever-expanding economy, would make an ideal addition to the program.

“By stepping down the path of adding Poland to the VWP, President Trump and President Duda are cementing an important strategic relationship while benefiting the economies of both countries—a win-win if there ever was one.”