Posted on 03/04/2010 9:01:27 PM PST by ctdonath2
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama has signed a bill creating a program to promote the U.S. as a premier tourism destination for international travelers.
...
Government and private industry would evenly split the program's costs, with Washington contributing up to $100 million a year. That money will come from a $10 fee paid by foreigners who do not pay for visas to enter the U.S.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Nothing like charging people to cross a border to make them want to do it again.
what did he do ...invite more terrorist here?
Since when did we need governmental interference with tourism? I take it this created a fee-collecting bureaucracy for some union workers?
Yeah, this will get the economy back into shape in no time...
As one poster put it:
The association says the U.S. welcomed 2.4 million fewer overseas visitors last year than in 2000. And that, the group says, has cost it an estimated $509 billion in total spending”
So, 2.4 million visitors would have spent $509B?
$212K per visitor per visit!
We must have missed some big spenders!!!!
Or, as much more likely, tourist industry thinks Americans are numerically idiots. And they are right.
As demonstrated by the “reporter” and the naive commenters.
Something about telling foreigners “Hey! C’mon over! This is a great place to visit!” and then slap them in the face with an entry fee when they actually show up at the door.
This is not a trivial matter for those living close to the border. I married a Canadian; the year of dating would have cost us about $500 more if this idiocy was in place at the time (never mind the thousands more paid for paperwork to get her here permanently).
Just when I think that Obama has drained a lake of stupidity, he finds a new well.
This one is weird.
Ping.
Argentina just started that too, theirs is $133 per person.
Only Bummer could call a charge to cross the border an incentive to come visit. Sheesh!
Well, we do like the kind that vacation then go back home.
Wow another $100 million down the crapper.
What’s the slogan going to be? “Come watch the Statue of Liberty crumble”?
The reason was simple: If you were going to Saudi Arabia from Bahrain, the entry process consisted of about a 20 minute stop at customs after you crossed the causeway. If you flew into Saudi Arabia directly, you could be standing in line for up to four hours while they sorted through everything. Saudi customs officials loved being assh*les especially at the airport-- one engineer in our company got his girlfriend's photo seized from his wallet because they didn't consider her properly attired. I kid you not.
And believe me, Bahrain knew that, which was why they charged the $30.00.
Just like they are happy to provide the alcohol and hookers that the Saudis come across the causeway to enjoy!
SA’s definately not on my list of possible vacation spots.
i thought he did this when he closed gitmo?
You forgot the ultimate government interference in tourism...Obama bashing of Las Vegas...and NOW he wants to tout tourism???
The Mayor of Vegas might offer to rebate that in entertainment vouchers.
Come one, come all, enjoy the premier finger wave by TSA upon entry, have your nude photo oogled by strangers, and above all- pay, pay, pay.
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