Foreigners visiting the US will now have to pay a $ 10.00 tax for the "priviledge"

President Barack Obama signed a bill Thursday that imposes a $10 fee on foreign travelers to the U.S. The funds will be combined with a $100 million private-sector fund raising campaign to market and advertise international tourism.

U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell, a Democrat representing Scottsdale and Tempe, and the U.S. Travel Association backed the Travel Promotion Act. They hope the foreign tourist tax and private-sector contributors will help market the U.S as a tourist destination.

Post-9/11 travel rules, anti-American sentiment stemming from the Bush administration and the poor global economy all have discouraged travel to the U.S. in recent years.

Note EU-Digest: the name this bill carries does not reflect its main purpose which is to collect money up front from foreigners for the "priviledge" to visit the USA. It certainly will not be considered an incentive by foreign tourists.

For more: Obama signs Travel Promotion Act - Phoenix Business Journal: