There are concerns a new $10 tax may deter holidaymakers from visiting the US. The Travel Promotion Act was passed yesterday (September 14) by the US Senate and requires anyone visiting the US, who is exempt from buying a $131 visa, to pay a $10 charge for filling out the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) application. The charge is only applied once every two years, but it does apply to UK holidaymakers. It still needs the green light from the House of Representatives, but what do you think the reaction from customers will be? How do they feel about giving the airlines information at the moment - do they find it complicated? Are some airlines better than others?
There are concerns a new $10 tax may deter holidaymakers from visiting the US.
The Travel Promotion Act was passed yesterday (September 14) by the US Senate and requires anyone visiting the US, who is exempt from buying a $131 visa, to pay a $10 charge for filling out the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) application. The charge is only applied once every two years, but it does apply to UK holidaymakers.
It still needs the green light from the House of Representatives, but what do you think the reaction from customers will be? How do they feel about giving the airlines information at the moment - do they find it complicated? Are some airlines better than others?
Pity that none of goverment is reacting same way - and introducing similar charges , visas for US citizens. It is realy not fare.
Hi Emily,
Personally, I do not think that it will deter holidaymakers, but it doesn't really make you feel welcome does it? Saying that, compare this with Turkey that charges you £10 to enter it's country, millions of Brits head that way every year and while most of us complain about it, we still go, because its warm and cheap (well it used to be cheap)
With the money fenced of for promotion and infromation distrubution, I think it will mean more people go than less. After all it hidden in your ticket and Americans do not complain about spending 50-100 dollars to come to the UK and that just goes in our general tax coffers.
I think it is not question of money, but question they ask each passanger. Also all Turkish need to have visa entering UK- so this regualtion are mutual. Unfortunately treatment of UK and US citizens is not equal.
not sure where you coming on this, being married to an american I found that the treatment is simular both ways...though British are a bit more polite.
It is in line with many other countries so I do not see that the customers will begrudge it. They will moan a bit and will carry on visiting USA. Every one else is filling in their coffers why not USA.
On top of the ever increasing taxes and APD on transatlantic routes, and current decline in the value of Sterling, this will undoubtedly hit the more budget conscious family market most. Orlando in particular could lose some valuable traffic as a result of all these factors. Unfortunately the ESTA fee, whilst not without justification and longer term benefit (if funds are appropriated as indicated!), couldn't be announced at a worse time and, by some, may be the final straw that influences their decision to travel - or not to travel - to the USA this year.
As a USA Travel Specialist I do hope that a good percentage of the money raised in the UK is utilised to promote, and therefore increase, leisure travel to and within the USA. Having seen how previous campaigns promoting travel to the USA have completely ignored the values of the retail travel industry in this country I can but hope that the funds raised are not, once again, largely wasted.
Well its US10 this year. ! Like any charge / tax this year, it will be a great target for a budget cash strapped US administrations that need to raise a bit of extra cash, but don't want to annoy the US voter. !! Give it a year or two and it will be US50 !! You can just see it coming. !!
Anyone remember the "Act of Making Good the Deficiency of the Clipped Money" in 1696? No? OK it is what led to the "Window Tax," I am wondering if any government is thinking of adding that to the cost of flights?
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