The Travel Promotion Act of 2009 is a law creating a Corporation for Travel Promotion in the United States and charge non-U.S. tourists staying fewer than 90 days in the United States with a fee of $10. The money collected from travelers will be spent for advertising to get tourists to visit the United States. Harry Reid supports the bill as his constituency has seen a decline in visitor numbers. The House passed the bill by a vote of 358-66 in October 2009, and the Senate followed on February 25, 2010 with a vote of 78-18. President Obama signed the bill into law on March 4, 2010.[1]
US Customs Border and Border Protection have announced they will level an additional $4 fee (brings the total to $14) for visitors to the United States for the cost of processing these payments.
The reactions of the European Union have been harsh and suggestions of a similar fee have been raised on grounds of reciprocity.[2]