New Foreign Visitor Fees Threaten America’s National Parks and Local Economies

As of January 1, foreign visitors to iconic American national parks like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon face a new $100-per-person fee. While touted by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum as “America-first pricing,” this policy raises serious concerns about harming local economies that depend heavily on tourism from abroad.Are We Sacrificing Hospitality in the Name of Revenue?In Montana, small business owners like Mark Howser worry that these inflated fees will discourage international travelers. For his motel near Glacier National Park, foreigners make up a sizable 15% of guests. Adding $100 per visitor—on top of existing entry costs—will inevitably deter many from...