The United Kingdom is a popular travel destination for Americans, but the logistics of traveling to the country are about to change. The UK is planning to launch the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) which will mandate travelers from the U.S. and other countries to pay a fee.
In the United States, there is a similar system in place. Currently, travelers from abroad can sign up for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) which costs 21 USD and allows travelers to enter the country for two years.
Europe at large, too, is planning to implement this sort of system in 2024.
The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will allow travelers to pay 7.50 USD (7 euros) to get authorization to visit; this will be valid for three years. The ETA, however, will be UK-specific, and it will cost 12.50 USD (10 GBP) and last for two years.
The United Kingdom plans to roll the ETA out in 2024, and at first, United States citizens and EU nationals, along with a few other groups, will be able to participate.
It is not uncommon to have such fees for travel entry. Places like New Zealand, Japan, Indonesia, and France have entrance fees and taxes for tourists. Also, Bhutan is known for its particularly high entrance fees, which begin at around 200 USD.
It is on-trend for countries to mandate some sort of fee to enter, and in the United Kingdom, the money will serve to regulate the tourism industry in the country. Tourism in the UK is driven by a myriad of things, one of which is the Royal Family.
Each year, the royal family accounts for a substantial amount of tourist-related revenue in the UK. However, at large, it is estimated that the family generates over 2.5 billion pounds for the British economy.
Whether they’re visiting the UK for the Royal Family or not, Americans should be prepared to pay a small fee starting soon.