A travel tariff of no value

When I was in NYC earlier this week, I was surprised by the high number of tourists at this particular time. This new fee should (sadly) put a dent in that.

My Dad used to say “The world’s gone mad” , 60 years ago.
I’m still saying it.

Current estimations are for a drop well in excess of 10 billion USD in US tourism revenue for this year. One can only wonder at how much more will be lost once this latest fee is implemented. And how will this affect the Olympics and FIFA Cup, on top of the recent list of countries banned from US entry? Not just spectators, but will entire teams decide to sit this one out?

However, there may be a TACO involved.

World Cup, Summer Olympics and who-knows-what-else might be in the plans for large International events here. I don't know how it'll work for visiting athletics, such as a soccer team + coaches and staff from a non-visa waiver country, but if it applies the up-front cost would be significant. Same for families wanting to come cheer their athlete on (and planning to spend $$ during their stay). Same with visiting orchestras, ballet troupes, choirs, etc not to mention tour groups from targeted countries.

The projected decline in 2025 foreign visitor spending is worrying even before this tariff.

CJean, I'm wondering as well how many will decide to sit it out.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/18/visa-integrity-fee-what-to-know-about-new-travel-fee-to-enter-the-us-.html

I found the above as a way to avoid the fee OP's link requires to read about the visa fee.

As I read it, the fee applies to only those who need a visa to visit the USA.

There are many countries not on the visa waiver list. And even those on the visa waiver list will now be subject to this fee if they are entering, legally, to work or study, or for any other reason than a short stay tourist visit. Given the difficulty of obtaining a visa in the first place, and the hoops one needs to jump through, let alone that basic cost of a visa, I don't see how anyone could see this additional fee as anything but a deliberate deterrent and a price gouge.

Some of those countries are not on the visa waiver list for reasons related to security.