IITA to Make a Critical Visit to Washington
By Steve Richer, DC Correspondent
Based on the chaos resulting from increased visa fees, higher entrance fees for international visitors to national parks, international reactions to US tariff policies and reduced forms of foreign aid, and other policy matters, IITA leadership decided it was critical to visit Washington now to share what is happening to inbound tourism with key administration officials.
Members of IITA’s Advocacy Committee will be in Washington September 16 and 17 to address the impacts of these policy decisions whether they are in place, are to be implemented shortly, are under discussion, or even just being discussed by IITA international business partners based on global media coverage and social media postings.
In addition to these topics, anecdotal information about international visitors being detained on either entry or exit by immigration officials or others is also impacting inbound tourism.
Right now, the biggest disincentive to visit the United States seems to be the new "integrity fee" of an additional $250 for regular leisure, business, and student visa holders, bringing the total for a visa to $435 per person and making it the most expensive tourist visa on average in the world. The new "integrity fee" is scheduled to start on October 1 and is theoretically refundable upon application at the time a visa expires. This process has not yet been defined. Nevertheless, compelling a family of four to pay an extra $1000 to visit the USA is bound to discourage some travel.
All of these issues and their impact are what IITA will share in two weeks in a series of appointments with industry leaders and federal agencies.
If you weren’t able to respond to the most recent IITA questionnaire or you have other information about cancellations, lower bookings or even what is being discussed by your international business partners, please share it right away with IITA staff. We are all watching reported visitation drops around the US, but information from IITA members is best in order to get first-hand market information.
Stay tuned for a report from Washington later this month!