President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday, July 3, raising entrance fees to U.S. national parks for foreign tourists. The Trump administration said the added revenue would be used to improve infrastructure and access for visitors across the National Park System.
During a rally on Thursday, Trump said the fee for foreign visitors reflects his “America First” policy in tourism.
“To fund improvements and enhance experiences across the park system, for this anniversary, I’ve just signed an executive order to raise entrance fees for foreign tourists while keeping prices low for Americans,” Trump said. “And we’re going to do that. The national parks will be about America First.”
Fees may cover some funding gaps
The fee might help cover some funding gaps as the White House plans to significantly cut the National Park Service budget.
The executive action directs Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to “develop a strategy to increase revenue and improve the recreational experience at national parks by appropriately increasing entrance fees and recreation pass fees for nonresidents in areas of the National Park System that charge” these payments.
Timeline and implementation
The order does not specify the amount by which the fee will increase or the timeframe for increases. It only directs the secretary of the interior to develop a strategy for raising entrance fees for foreign tourists. Costs and fees differ for each park; some do not charge entrance fees at all. Trump’s order also states that Americans should receive “preferential treatment” when entering the parks.
The action also repeals a 2017 directive from former President Barack Obama to improve diversity, equity and inclusion at national parks.
National parks face a budget crunch currently
According to the Interior Department, the additional fee for foreign tourists would generate over $90 million annually in revenue. The move to raise fees for foreign park visitors comes as the president considers cutting the National Park Service’s budget by more than $1 billion and plans to implement staff reductions.
The agency has already seen a 24% drop in permanent employees, as reported by the National Parks Conservation Association on Thursday.
contributed to this report.
