TheLocalYokel
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- Jan 14, 2009
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[textarea]Tourists U.S. step closer to charging $10 fee for UK tourists
The U.S. Senate has voted overwhelmingly in favour of new legislation to charge tourists from visa-waiver countries a minimum fee of $10 to enter the United States.
The Travel Promotion Act, (TPA) which was passed by the U.S. Senate last week after an overwhelming 79-19 vote, would enforce a 'collection fee' to be paid by anyone who applies to visit the U.S. through the ESTA pre-registration system, which is currently required for all visitors from visa-waiver countries.
The scheme is expected to be running by the end of 2009.
Want to visit the home of the free? As long as you can stump up an additional $10...
The main aim of the legislation is to provide funds to strengthen the image of the U.S. abroad and reverse the decline in overseas visitors which have dropped in recent years.
Visitor numbers to the U.S. are expected to drop by 8 per cent in 2009 compared to the same period last year, while tourist spending in the U.S. is already down 15 per cent year-on-year.
A recent study in New York showed that while overseas visitors accounted for only 20 per cent of travel to the city, they were responsible for 48 per cent of visitor spending.
However, some observers have commented that the new financial hurdle imposed by the legislation may actually lower the number of visitors to the United States while the EU has threatened to introduce retaliatory measures.
The overseas market is huge for America, with 48 per cent of visitor spending in New York coming from foreign travellers.
European Commission's Ambassador to Washington, John Bruton, said "Only in 'Alice in Wonderland' could a penalty be seen as promoting the activity on which it is imposed,'
One of the bill's sponsors, Democratic Rep. William Delahunt, said the EU was getting too worked up over what he called 'a nominal fee'.
Earlier this year, however, the United States introduced regulations that require people travelling to the United States under the visa-waiver program to register online at least 72 hours before travel and renew their registration every two years.[/textarea]
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/artic ... rists.html
Strange logic to think imposing a fee on visitors will increase their number.
It's seemed one-sided for a while now. UK and other European visitors to the USA have to jump through all sorts of hoops compared to American tourists coming to the UK - not sure about procedures for Americans into other European countries.
I've visited the USA several times and enjoyed its natural beauty and magnificence at places like the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Monument Valley and Yosemite and Yellowstone national parks.
However, I'm not sure I want to put up with some of the antics of the security and immigration staff that some visitors to that country from the UK have written about and, indeed, some have told me personally.
I expect it's probably like Ryanair with most episodes passing off perfectly well but when they don't they can be hell but I'm not that keen to find out, either with Ryanair or increasingly with a return visit to the USA.
The U.S. Senate has voted overwhelmingly in favour of new legislation to charge tourists from visa-waiver countries a minimum fee of $10 to enter the United States.
The Travel Promotion Act, (TPA) which was passed by the U.S. Senate last week after an overwhelming 79-19 vote, would enforce a 'collection fee' to be paid by anyone who applies to visit the U.S. through the ESTA pre-registration system, which is currently required for all visitors from visa-waiver countries.
The scheme is expected to be running by the end of 2009.
Want to visit the home of the free? As long as you can stump up an additional $10...
The main aim of the legislation is to provide funds to strengthen the image of the U.S. abroad and reverse the decline in overseas visitors which have dropped in recent years.
Visitor numbers to the U.S. are expected to drop by 8 per cent in 2009 compared to the same period last year, while tourist spending in the U.S. is already down 15 per cent year-on-year.
A recent study in New York showed that while overseas visitors accounted for only 20 per cent of travel to the city, they were responsible for 48 per cent of visitor spending.
However, some observers have commented that the new financial hurdle imposed by the legislation may actually lower the number of visitors to the United States while the EU has threatened to introduce retaliatory measures.
The overseas market is huge for America, with 48 per cent of visitor spending in New York coming from foreign travellers.
European Commission's Ambassador to Washington, John Bruton, said "Only in 'Alice in Wonderland' could a penalty be seen as promoting the activity on which it is imposed,'
One of the bill's sponsors, Democratic Rep. William Delahunt, said the EU was getting too worked up over what he called 'a nominal fee'.
Earlier this year, however, the United States introduced regulations that require people travelling to the United States under the visa-waiver program to register online at least 72 hours before travel and renew their registration every two years.[/textarea]
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/artic ... rists.html
Strange logic to think imposing a fee on visitors will increase their number.
It's seemed one-sided for a while now. UK and other European visitors to the USA have to jump through all sorts of hoops compared to American tourists coming to the UK - not sure about procedures for Americans into other European countries.
I've visited the USA several times and enjoyed its natural beauty and magnificence at places like the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Monument Valley and Yosemite and Yellowstone national parks.
However, I'm not sure I want to put up with some of the antics of the security and immigration staff that some visitors to that country from the UK have written about and, indeed, some have told me personally.
I expect it's probably like Ryanair with most episodes passing off perfectly well but when they don't they can be hell but I'm not that keen to find out, either with Ryanair or increasingly with a return visit to the USA.
