Former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge has collaborated with a travel industry lobbying group to prepare a package of immigration reforms that would make it easier for international travelers to visit the United States.

The proposed immigration reform package would have a two-fold effect: first, it would change U.S. visa processes and procedures at points of entry; second, it would call for a major public relations campaign to promote these changes.

According to a statement from the lobbying group, Discover America Partnership, Ridge will “evaluate the U.S. entry process and propose strategies for striking a better balance between secure borders and open doors.”

These changes, according to Geoff Freeman, executive director of the Discover America Partnership, are needed to counter a crisis in the perceptions global travelers have about visiting the U.S.

In a recent survey of international travelers from 16 countries throughout the world, the U.S. ranked the worst destination by 39 percent of participants for ability to obtain necessary documents or visas and disrespectful immigration officials.

"We will be working with Gov. Ridge to develop a package of big and bold ideas," said Freeman. “There are a lot of different ideas out there.”