Oh dear. It seems that Ombama didn’t read the Travel Promotion Act 2009 that has been signed into law today.
Specificialy the bit how it is to be funded – a $10 charge for visitors entering the USA. The act is likely to come into force by the end of the year to help fund tourism marketing campaigns and “to explain US Security Protocols”
Of course, this has to be paid online, so watch those fees rack up a bit more.
Whilst it is a small charge, it’s still $10. And $10 is $10.
With the USA still quite frankly not paying attention to its image in the wider world, IATA is concerned enough to note that it has fears that other countries could introduce similar schemes, enough to stilfle small trade.
You’re darn tooting straight there.
And Bill Marriott thinks this is a good thing. Oh well, if it saves his little hotel chain a few pennies advertising the USA…
However, there is some travel advice that I will repeat until this thing goes live.
Links:
The Guardian – http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2010/mar/05/us-charge-tourists-to-enter
Daily Mail – http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1255655/Barack-Obama-signs-Travel-Promotion-Act-start-taxing-tourists.html
Bill Marriott’s take – http://www.blogs.marriott.com/marriott-on-the-move/2010/03/great-news-president-obama-signs-the-travel-promotion-act.html
Cranky’s Thought’s at BNET – http://industry.bnet.com/travel/10005117/travel-promotion-act-is-government-gone-wild/
