News

A new online travel system being deployed in the US poses no risk to the personal details of British tourists entering the country, officials have claimed.

From January, visitors who do not need visas to enter the US will be required to register details under the electronic system for travel authorisation (ESTA) three days before they travel.

Explaining the scheme at the US Embassy in London, experts moved to assure those concerned that the ESTA will help to speed up entry into the US, while protecting people's privacy, according to the BBC.

Michael Restovich, attache to the US department of homeland security, told the news site: 'All the privacy concerns have been addressed and safeguards put in place to ensure that only people who need to see the information do so.'

The online application will last for two years, during which travellers can move in and out of the country.

Last month, the US department of commerce released new figures revealing that international tourism in the country rose by 14% year-over-year during May, with some 4.3m tourists arriving during the month.

Opodo cheap flights, hotels and car hire - let the journey begin!