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Other than Dunn's river falls, I found this island too hot and humid. Forget about it!!Do other islands charge a fee for tourism??- seems stupid as tourism brings revenue to any island. I'm sure there may be some port/docking fees already.
Frosty 4
One example is that $millions in fees were charged to LAX passengers to build a new terminal at Ontario [California].Then there is the UK pax duty.. don't ask!
Pam
Perhaps some of our International friends can fill us in on the cost of entering this country!
Rich
[ 04-05-2007: Message edited by: Linerrich ]
quote:Originally posted by PamM:One example is that $millions in fees were charged to LAX passengers to build a new terminal at Ontario [California].Then there is the UK pax duty.. don't ask!Pam
I recall hearing years ago that as long as there is construction at LAX (or other area airports), the airport commision can impose these fees (along w/the other fees). Guess what, there is always some sort of construction big and small going on at the airport(s). What gets me is w/all that constant work going on it still looks a little tired in some places but the flowers and grass are always perfect!
quote:Originally posted by Frosty 4:I know Vancouver,BC does charge an airport use tax. (Alaska cruisers-FYI)They get you before you can go to the gates on your return flight.
Vancouver has been charging a departure tax for many years. I believe in the beginning it was to help pay for the new airport they were building & I guess it was so successful that they have just continued to charge each passenger. Even using points for airline flights, we are still charged departure taxes no matter where we are flying to.
Jamaica may now be going after the cruise lines that still dock there, because they have probably lost a money from the various lines who no longer visit the island. On checking HAL's schedule for 2007 there are no ships visiting Jamaica and in 2008, the Veendam will only stop in MoBay twice and the could change. IMO - it's too dangerous there and the last couple of times we were in Jamaica, I didn't get off the ship.
Also, you might notice that hotels are also adding on a Destination Marketing Tax to you room rates on many properties in Canada...but once again we have to pay for THEM to attract us to a property/ city - where we already are. While I don't per se if I was there on vacation when you get charged it because you HAVE to go on business - it seems more unfair
quote:Originally posted by Linerrich:Perhaps some of our International friends can fill us in on the cost of entering this country!
If, for some reason, you need a non-immigrant visa (eg to study), then the procedure is as follows:-
quote:A visa entitles the holder to travel to the United States and apply for admission; it does not guarantee entry. An immigration inspector at the port of entry determines the visa holder's eligibility for admission into the United States.
There are now a number of interesting quirks in US visa requirements. For example, except for unusual cases, you must apply for a visa in the country of your nationality. This means that, for example, many South Africans who are long-term residents of the UK must travel to Cape Town, Durban or Johannesburg in order to apply for a US visa.
It can hardly come as any surprise to find out that many people find other places to travel to instead.
quote:Originally posted by 6263866:... these islands and ports are getting rich from cruise ships ...
quote:Originally posted by Globaliser:So travel remains at your own risk, although you then have appeal rights.
Travel to other countries is a privilege and not a right.
If these minor restrictions were not in place here we would be more overwhelmed w/people overstaying their visas and simply disapearing into society.
The overall process is more than a little tiresome and that queue is endless, you even have to join it when you have an appointment time. People just can't be bothered; whilst there are areas where just a passport or a simple post off for visa is required, they'll take that option.
quote:Originally posted by PamM:Many are going elsewhere from Europe. US tourism is down nearly 20% since 2001, ie 60m travellers over 5 yrs and the Travel Industry Association is more than a little worried...
I don't think travel hassle is entirely to blame. The 'war' must be responsible for some of America's lack popularity as a destination.
I have Friends who will not go to the USA because they do not like the idea of providing finger prints at emigration - it's not as if they are criminals, either.
[ 04-08-2007: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]
quote:
We were in Mexico at the end of January and the flights were oversold both ways as were the flights last week to and from Vegas-packed w/tourists from all over the World.
I have British friends who live in L.A. and NYC who travel to London one or two times per month and don't seem to have problems coming and going. It must be the luck of the draw.
quote:Originally posted by cruisemole:With the weak dollar foreign tourism in US should be booming.
The prices of US cruises and other 'package' vacations to America, do not seem any cheaper for us Brits than they did when the exchange rate was worse! Although they probably don't cost any more, either - so effectively that equal's cheaper.
quote:Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:[QB]The prices of US cruises and other 'package' vacations to America, do not seem any cheaper for us Brits than they did when the exchange rate was worse! QB]
The prices of US cruises and other 'package' vacations to America, do not seem any cheaper for us Brits than they did when the exchange rate was worse! QB]
Sounds like 'Rip off Britain' again! I just don't get it but there must be strong forces in play to keep the prices extremely high.
quote:Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:Travel to other countries is a privilege and not a right. If these minor restrictions were not in place here we would be more overwhelmed w/people overstaying their visas and simply disapearing into society.
So what is it about the US that makes it so special? Is it truly the land of milk and honey? Is it really the place that tourists will come to, no matter what the hassle and expense? I don't think so. Many people just won't bother.
quote:Originally posted by lasuvidaboy:I don't know if US tourism is still down 20% since 9/11 as I have read several travel reports that the numbers are back up to pre 9/11 levels.
But the truth of the matter is that the restrictions put in place by the US have meant that the US has missed out on the huge worldwide travel boom that has taken place since 2001. There might be perhaps 20%-40% more visitors to the US than there are now, if it weren't for the fact that so many people are put off by the hassle.
Travel to the US is not booming, despite the exchange rate, and that is the tragedy of it for the US tourism industry. It is no wonder that the US tourism industry is crying out for some help and relief.
This rot goes deep. The starkest recent example was Air New Zealand's latest new route. For decades, it has served Auckland-London via Los Angeles. As far as I know, it is now the only airline whose passengers are allowed to direct airside transit at a US airport when continuing on to an international destination. (As is well known, everyone else must clear US immigration, collect their bags, and clear customs - even if all they want to do is to get out of the transit point and away from the US as fast as they can.)
But the airline has nevertheless lost so many transit passengers on that route, specifically because of the hassle of transiting LAX, that they have now found it possible to launch an Auckland-Hong Kong-London route to try to recapture them.
[ 04-10-2007: Message edited by: Globaliser ]
quote:Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:I have Friends who will not go to the USA because they do not like the idea of providing finger prints at emigration - it's not as if they are criminals, either.[ 04-08-2007: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]
Do you think the criminals stay away, or tell immigration that they're criminals?
The fingerprinting has caught thousands of convicted and expelled criminals trying to get back in. Maybe one of them was one of your friends? Probably not, of course, but laws are, after all, written for the few who don't obey laws in general.
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