Tuesday was the last day, when tourists from ESTA countries were able to visit USA without paying any fee. From Wednesday, they have to pay for "promoting US as a tourist destination." Nonsense.

14 dollars is for sure not a fortune and is just a fraction of the price for airfare or hotel for European tourists, who are the main benefactors of ESTA system. The problem is therefore not the amount, but the trend, which is a real challenge for these tourists. First some words about ESTA as it was. US promoted ESTA as an alternative to the visa system. It is an alternative, but- because of the strong position of immigration officer on the borders - it is not the same as a vise free tourism as we know it in EU. Immigration officer can prohibit anybody to enter the US and with ESTA the tourist does not have even the right to go to the US court and protest the decision of immigration officer. What is the guarantee for such an European tourist, that he will not pay airfare, arrange hotels and than he will be prohibited to enter the country- maybe just because the officer had a bad day?

And now, the tourists have to pay for such a "service". Four of the $14 should cover ESTA operating costs- what would be a reasonable amount, if there would not be the defects of ESTA mentioned above. But the rest, these10 dollars for "promoting US as a tourist destination"- that is a real nonsense. US would promote itself as a tourist destination if the country would have an image of a friendly country. Except of a reasonable foreign policy, the rights of tourist are also an important part of this definition. US does not need any fund to promote Grand Canyon or Las Vegas- everybody knows, that this country is one of the nicest places in the world. Just this ESTA does not belong to the most efficient and best systems...Improving it would be the best promotion of US as a tourist destination.

Zolo Mikes

Photo: ISIFA