Increase in entrance fees for foreign tourists at national parks, instigated by Trump's mandate
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at increasing revenue for national parks by raising fees for foreign visitors, while maintaining affordability for American visitors. The order, which aligns with Trump's "America First" policy, is expected to generate over $90 million annually to address funding gaps amid proposed budget cuts for the National Park Service.
The Interior Secretary has been tasked with developing a strategy to increase entrance fees and recreation pass fees for non-U.S. residents at national parks that currently charge for entry. The additional fees are projected to help reduce the maintenance backlog in national parks, which has grown significantly in recent years, and support conservation projects.
U.S. residents will receive priority access in any permitting or reservation systems, making national parks more affordable and enjoyable for American families. The order addresses the perception that American taxpayers currently pay the same rate as foreign visitors, by charging higher fees to foreign tourists.
The exact timeline for when the fee increases will take effect and the exact amount of the surcharge have not been specified. However, Trump emphasised that the national parks would be about "America First," a rare move by the President, a climate skeptic, to promote the environment and green spaces.
The executive order also reverses a 2017 directive aimed at improving diversity, equity, and inclusion at national parks, furthering Trump's latest attack on DEI initiatives. The order comes amid hundreds of National Park Service permanent staff members being laid off since Trump took office, ahead of peak tourist season in summer.
The order instructs the interior and state departments to encourage international tourism to America's national parks, which Trump announced during the launch of the US's year-long 250th birthday celebrations, at a rally in Iowa. The revenue raised from the fee increase for foreign tourists will be used to improve the infrastructure and enhance enjoyment of the national park system.
- The new policy-and-legislation introduced by President Trump is centered on environmental-science, as it aims to increase revenue for national parks through higher fees for foreign visitors.
- The executive order signed by President Trump aligns with general-news headlines, as it intends to generate over $90 million annually, to fund national parks and address funding gaps amid proposed budget cuts for the National Park Service.
- In response to the growing environmental concern, the order instructs the interior and state departments to promote tourism to America's national parks, thereby supporting conservation projects and reducing the maintenance backlog.
- The decision to charge higher fees to foreign tourists serves as a political move, addressing the perception that American taxpayers pay the same rate as foreign visitors. However, the order reverses a 2017 directive aimed at improving diversity, equity, and inclusion at national parks, furthering Trump's criticism of DEI initiatives.
