EU criticises proposed US $10 fee for tourists

Plans by the US to charge European travellers who qualify for visa-free travel with a $10 fee has been heavily criticised by the European Union (EU), with the threat of retaliatory charges to US citizens.

The Travel Promotion Act would see the introduction of a $10 fee charged to tourists, including UK visitors, to sign up to a website pre-registration service currently required from all visa waiver countries.

Funds raised from the charges would be used to promote the US abroad and to boost tourism numbers.

Want to visit the home of the free? As long as you can stump up an additional $10…

The European Commission’s Ambassador to Washington, John Bruton, launched a scathing attack on the bill, saying that only ‘Alice in Wonderland’ could a penalty been seen as promoting the activity which it is imposed.

Democrats Representative, William Delahunt, a supporter of the bill, said the EU was getting too worked up over a nominal fee.

However the EU see it as yet another potential hassle that the US wants to burden travellers with.  So far, many Europeans have had the privilege of visa-free travel to the states.

The current visa waiver program involves travellers to log onto a website and submit personal and passport details at least 72 hours prior to travel, and must renew their details once every 72 years.