Eye On Freedom – Keeping a watchful eye on the preservation of our liberty at home and freedom around the world

Planning a trip to the United States? Tuesday is the last day for citizens of some countries to dodge a new travel fee.

Starting Wednesday, travelers from 36 nations will be required to pay $14 to register through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, required for travelers using the Visa Waiver Program.

Four of the $14 will cover ESTA operating costs, and $10 will go toward promoting the United States as a tourist destination.

Charging tourists to promote tourism doesn’t make sense, critics say.

“It’s like inviting a friend over for dinner and then charging them a fee at the door,” said Steve Lott, a spokesman for the International Air Transport Association, which represents airlines around the world.

“If the idea is to make the United States more welcoming and to increase tourism, raising the entry fee seems to be counterintuitive to what you’re trying to do,” Lott said. Instead, more effort should be made to improve the cumbersome entry process, he said.

IATA voiced opposition to the fee to members of Congress before it was established by the Travel Promotion Act, which was signed by President Obama in March.

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