A proposal by the U.S congress to impose a $10 charge for some visitors to the country has been met with strong criticism by the European Union.

The new charge is part of the controversial Travel Promotion Act which would see those normally afforded visa wavers pay the new levee in a move the U.S claims is designed to promote tourism. Understandably, the E.U does not feel that their citizens should be financially encumbered by travel promotions for foreign countries, raising the question whether the move could in fact have the opposite effect. The EU has even suggested that it could impose retaliatory charges in return for U.S travellers.

Ambassador for the European Commission in Washington stated that only Alice in Wonderland would view an imposition of a penalty as a benefit for the very activity it purports to promote. The U.S in turn has said the charge in minimal and that the EU’s arguments are trivial. CEO for the U.S Travel Association Roger Dow claimed that the country’s economy is in crisis and that inbound tourism was a key part of the solution. He also argues that changes in legislation would result in billions of tourist dollars and create numerous jobs for people to assist the travel promotions. The $10 fee is just part of an overall plan involving greater education of tourists in visa requirements and entry regulations in the U.S, which include a proposal for free online registration for visa-free travel.

Earlier this year the U.S travel caused much controversy when it decided to enforce rules whereby inbound travellers were required to register online at least 72 hours before arrival. This, along with the latest changes, is viewed by sceptics as being more of a hurdle than a welcoming set of arms.