March 05 - Visitors to U.S. will have to pay $10 fee

[DoingFlorida News]

Yesterday U.S. President Barack Obama signed a bill which will mean visitors to the USA will need to pay an extra $10 each. According to the U.S. Travel Association the Travel Promotion Act is needed to help address the problem of visitor numbers falling during the past decade and to help fund tourism marketing campaigns.

It is believed the fee will paid when the on-line ESTA visa-waiver application is completed and will last for two years. This is the length of time the ESTA visa-waiver application is valid for.

[tinklancs]

So how does that work then? Visitor numbers are falling so they're going to charge more to visit! Seems a bit back-to-front to me! Now if they were offering something [not even money] in return for visiting, that would work!

[BAYCAS]

I'm with you on that one Tink. its the same as gate prices and parkling going up as numbers fall. Shouldn't it be the Americans paying to enourage us to visit them and spend our cash rather than us paying for the privilage on top of whatever landing charges we already pay plus not being entitled to the discounts Us residents get?? $40 may not be much in the great scheme of things but its $40 less to spend to boost thier economy

[Fernix]

Couldn't agree more with you both. Surely if they are wanting to encourage visitors then maybe there should be an incentive, not stiffing us for more money! Everyone seems to want more, more, more of our hard earned money!

Ok, I'm off my soap box now that I have vented

[Justice Socks]

Do you all realise you already pay a resort tax, sometimes known as a bed tax. Have a look below and see how much of it is spent on tourism or in other words...us.

So this new tax is going to be spent on tourism, pull the other one!!!


Resort Tax Collections
Total % change
1994 63,718,804 n/a
1995 83,285,498 30.7%
1996 97,628,014 17.2%
1997 112,362,528 15.1%
1998 120,368,941 7.1%
1999 125,181,877 4.0%
2000 136,708,605 9.2%
2001 121,182,608 - 11.4%
2002 118,644,758 - 2.1%
2003 118,521,311 - 0.1%
2004 143,616,272 21.2%
2005 156,995,238 9.3%
2006 172,898,899 10.1%
2007 203,078,754 17.3%
2008 203,282,158 0.1%
2009 173,106,796 - 14.8%

*** Seminole County Resort tax increased from 3% to 5% in February 2009.
** Orange County Resort tax increased from 5% to 6% in September 2006. Orange County Resort tax increased from 4% to 5% in February 1995.
* Effective July 1, 2004 Osceola County Tourist Development Tax Rate increased from 5% to 6%

Resort Tax Used For:
•Orange County - Convention Center, Arena, Citrus Bowl, Tourism promotion;
•Osceola County - Kissimmee CVB operations and marketing programs, Osceola County stadium and 2 other sports complexes, grant programs;
•Seminole County - Promote tourism, funding grants for cultural and fine arts programs and activities;

Source: County Comptrollers' Offices

[oxo]

do you think thay have cottened on to this is rip off briton

[Fernix]

Originally Posted by Justice Socks

Do you all realise you already pay a resort tax, sometimes known as a bed tax. Have a look below and see how much of it is spent on tourism or in other words...us.

So this new tax is going to be spent on tourism, pull the other one!!!


Resort Tax Collections
Total % change
1994 63,718,804 n/a
1995 83,285,498 30.7%
1996 97,628,014 17.2%
1997 112,362,528 15.1%
1998 120,368,941 7.1%
1999 125,181,877 4.0%
2000 136,708,605 9.2%
2001 121,182,608 - 11.4%
2002 118,644,758 - 2.1%
2003 118,521,311 - 0.1%
2004 143,616,272 21.2%
2005 156,995,238 9.3%
2006 172,898,899 10.1%
2007 203,078,754 17.3%
2008 203,282,158 0.1%
2009 173,106,796 - 14.8%

*** Seminole County Resort tax increased from 3% to 5% in February 2009.
** Orange County Resort tax increased from 5% to 6% in September 2006. Orange County Resort tax increased from 4% to 5% in February 1995.
* Effective July 1, 2004 Osceola County Tourist Development Tax Rate increased from 5% to 6%

Resort Tax Used For:
•Orange County - Convention Center, Arena, Citrus Bowl, Tourism promotion;
•Osceola County - Kissimmee CVB operations and marketing programs, Osceola County stadium and 2 other sports complexes, grant programs;
•Seminole County - Promote tourism, funding grants for cultural and fine arts programs and activities;

Source: County Comptrollers' Offices

JS are you also known as 'www', you are a source of such diverse information. What would we do without you?

[bigjamiek2]

i got my esta last sept, does that mean i dont need to pay this year?

[Justice Socks]

Renew it ASAP. I did all ours a couple of days ago. It doesn't matter how long they have to run.

It may only be $10 but better in my pocket than theirs.

[Sally]

Was the real reason why it is now done on line so they can charge you. If they tried to charge you while you were filling the green form in on the plane that probably would be too difficult. If they get you paying it on a credit card you can bet there will be charge so it will end up being more than the $10!

[Justice Socks]

Originally Posted by Fernix

JS are you also known as 'www', you are a source of such diverse information. What would we do without you?

Perhaps sleep better in your beds at night knowing there are no nutters like me about.

[Tod]

Originally Posted by Sally

Was the real reason why it is now done on line so they can charge you. If they tried to charge you while you were filling the green form in on the plane that probably would be too difficult. If they get you paying it on a credit card you can bet there will be charge so it will end up being more than the $10!

I think the plan was always to start charging, they need to be careful as all these extras add up, especially when its a family of four!

[janeyliz]

Well why doesn't Obama allow us to claim back all the sales tax like the overseas visitors do in this country then
And why fleece us even more must say Obama you have got it all wrong