Media Release - International Visitor Entrance Surcharge for National Parks

Inbound Travel Group Voices Serious Concerns Over New International 
Visitor Fee for Group Tours to U.S. National Parks

Washington, D.C. — December 5, 2025 — The International Inbound Travel Association (IITA), representing the U.S. inbound travel trade, today expressed serious concerns about the Department of the Interior’s newly announced international visitor/nonresident surcharge for entry to 11 major U.S. national parks, scheduled to take effect January 1, 2026. 

Under the new plan, international visitors will be charged a $100 per person, per park surcharge, and the cost of the America the Beautiful annual pass for nonresidents will rise to $250.

IITA CEO & Executive Director Lisa Simon emphasized that while the industry supports sustainable funding for the National Park Service, the proposed surcharge—announced without clear operational guidance—poses immediate challenges for inbound tour operators, especially group tours operating under Road-based Commercial Tour (RBCT) Commercial Use Authorizations (CUAs).

“Nearly all 2026 group tours have already been contracted and sold—many 18 to 24 months in advance—and the vast majority include multiple national parks,” Simon said. “Tour operators cannot absorb a $100 per-person, per-park surcharge, which would add tens of thousands of dollars in unplanned costs to a single tour. They also cannot retroactively adjust pricing, as operators are legally obligated to deliver itineraries at the contracted rate.”

“Without adjustments, this could result in cancellations, financial losses, and decreased revenue to the national parks and surrounding communities.”

Call for a Delay in Implementation for Group Tours

To prevent unnecessary disruption and financial harm, IITA is urging the Department of the Interior and National Park Service to delay implementation of the surcharge for group tours, allowing time for clear operational guidance, industry input, and workable alternatives to be considered.

“A targeted delay for group tours is both reasonable and necessary,” Simon continued. “It gives NPS time to refine logistics while giving operators the opportunity to plan and communicate with international partners responsibly.”

International Visitation Is Already Under Pressure

The timing of the surcharge coincides with ongoing declines in international travel to the U.S.:

• Overseas visitation is down more than 3% year-to-date
• Canadian visitation is down 25%, representing nearly 4 million fewer trips
• Key long-haul markets remain depressed

“This is a highly competitive global travel environment,” Simon said. “Adding another cost barrier risks amplifying the decline at a time when we have major global events on the horizon for 2026 – the FIFA World Cup, America250, and the Route 66 Centennial. Other countries are aggressively courting international travelers and capturing the growth we are losing.”

Economic Implications for U.S. Communities

International visitors spent $254 billion in the United States in 2024. They are critical contributors to the U.S. economy and to rural communities near national parks. Gateway communities depend heavily on international visitors, who often make up 30–50% of offseason visitation and drive year-round revenue for small businesses, hotels, restaurants, and attractions.

Request for Collaboration

IITA has requested urgent meetings with DOI and NPS leadership to share operational expertise and offer alternatives that would support NPS revenue goals without harming international demand or disrupting tours already sold for 2026.

“We deeply value our long-standing partnership with NPS,” Simon added. “We believe that through collaboration, we can identify a balanced approach that supports America’s national parks while ensuring the United States remains a competitive and welcoming destination.”

About IITA

The International Inbound Travel Association is the nonpartisan trade association representing the U.S. inbound travel industry. Its members include inbound/receptive tour operators, destination partners, attractions, hotels, transportation companies, and other businesses that welcome millions of international visitors to the United States each year.

###