Tight visa restrictions hamper US tourism

Tight restrictions on travel and visa requirements have hit the United States tourism industry hard, with many travelers choosing to spend their holidays elsewhere.

The US State Department has said security remains its top priority when it comes to eligibility criteria for visas. Tourism associations, however, have called for restrictions to be relaxed to allow more free-spending visitors into the country.

Al Jazeera’s John Terrett reports from Washington, DC.