ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to determine the effect of visa restriction on the choice of travel destination among intended travellers from Umuahia municipal, Abia State. The objectives of the research were to ascertain the causes of visa restriction imposed on intended travellers from Umuahia municipal, to determine the forms of visa restriction experience by intented travellers from Umuahia municipal, to establish the relationship between visa restriction and travel destination. Methodology used for the research was survey research design. The population for the study consist of 103. Sample size is same as the population since it is not very large, a non-probability sampling techniques was used. It is called convenience sampling which allows only accessible respondent to be used for the study. Questionnaire was used to generate the data. Simple descriptive statistics such as mean, percentage, frequency distribution were used to analyze the data generated for the research. The findings of the analysis revealed that the causes of visa restriction imposed among intended travellers from Umuahia municipal are incomplete information, invalid travel insurance, invalid passport, false travel document, insufficient explanation for the purpose and circumstances of the planned stay, error in date of birth, any alteration directly or indirectly, insufficient document like lack of fund and unknown reason with grand mean of 2.8. Majority of the respondents agreed that visa denial through bad records like criminal record or misinformation given outrageous visa requirement, being allowed limited time to the particular country depending on the type of visa applied for and restricted movement within target country as the forms of visa restriction experienced with grand mean of 3.3. The study also found that there were relationship between visa restriction and travel destination with a grand mean of 2.7 which is above the decision rule. Based on the findings, the study concludes that Umuahia travelers had adequate knowledge that false travel document, invalid passport, invalid travel insurance, incomplete information, insufficient explanation for the purpose and circumstances of the planned stay, error in date of birth, any alteration directly or indirectly, insufficient document like lack of fund and unknown reason causes visa restriction imposed by immigration’s on intended travellers among Umuahia municipal. Also, too much stress are involved in obtaining visa. Access, accommodation, attractions, activities and amenities are key elements to tourist destinations. The study recommends that visa issuing authorities should provide a guide for visa applicants when completing visa forms as this will eliminate issues such as incomplete applicant information and wrong application format which are one of the reason given for visa restrictions experienced. Countries should devise means of enforcing visa duration of visitors as this would invariably reduce the level of restrictions experienced as a result of checking illegal immigration. Visa issuing authorities should give consideration to first time visa applicants as any unfavorable outcome might affect their overall attitude towards traveling