US Tourism Promotion Project
Entry Fees for the U.S. will be collected from tourists in September
The Department of Homeland Security announced Friday that it will begin collecting fees on travellers from Visa Waiver countries beginning Sept. 8, 2010. Travellers will be charged a $14 fee when applying for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). A portion of the fee will go toward funding the Corporation for Travel Promotion, created by the 2009 Travel Promotion Act. “This is an important milestone in the implementation of the Travel Promotion Act,” Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. “Creating a tourism promotion program to encourage international visitors to vacation in America will help spur economic growth and create more jobs.”
Travel and tourism is the top services export for the United States, totaling $120 billion and supporting more than one million American jobs.
Overseas visitors spend an average of $4,000 per person per trip in the United States.
Oxford Economics estimates the travel promotion program under the Travel Promotion Act will generate $4 billion in new visitor spending and 40,000 new jobs. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the program will reduce the federal budget deficit by $425 million in the next 10 years.
President Obama signed the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (TPA) into law earlier this year, putting into place a new public - private partnership between the U.S. government and the nation’s travel and tourism industry. Under the TPA, Commerce Secretary Locke will appoint the board of directors for the Corporation for Travel Promotion. Commerce will work closely with the board to ensure the Corporation achieves its goals.
Comments
I think this is a mistake and will reduce numbers travelling to the USA rather than increase them. People are annoyed enough having to provide personal information, but having to pay for the privilege is going too far!
I have been traveling to the USA for decades without any problem but a couple months ago some oficer in a bad mood denied me entry for no reason. It was a demeaning and humiliating experience and I am sure as hell never going back.
Be forewarned: It could happen to you too.
This tax is an attempt to repair the damage being done by themselves but it would make much more sense to stop doing the damage in the first place.
When will all those Visa Waiving countries finally scrutinize American Travellers as much as they get scrutinized when travelling to the USA.
Lengthy rude Passport and Security Controls, Fingerprints and Personal Information pre-check, Visa Costs etc.!
Outrageous and paradox. Promote Tourism and trying to attract more Tourists by making them pay more!
Luckily there are so many other wonderful countries in the world that truly welcome travellers!
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