Visa/reciprocity fee likely
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SFO, EZE
Programs: UA 1K 2.32 MM
Posts: 2,425
Visa/reciprocity fee likely
This morning the media are reporting that the Presidenta is about to sign a decree that will require tourists to pay a fee upon arrival equal to that charged by some 116 countries for Argentine tourists (similar to Chile and Brazil).
Exempt will be those countries that allow Argentines visa-free travel (including other SA countries, EU members, Japan, Israel, South Africa, New Zealand, Morocco, Algeria, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
In the case of the US, the fee will be US$131.
According to official statistics that are published on the website of the Ministry of Tourism, in 2007 there were 4,474,454 tourists, of whom 442,704 (nearly 10 per cent) were from the United States or Canada.
http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/el...008-10-06.html
John
Exempt will be those countries that allow Argentines visa-free travel (including other SA countries, EU members, Japan, Israel, South Africa, New Zealand, Morocco, Algeria, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
In the case of the US, the fee will be US$131.
According to official statistics that are published on the website of the Ministry of Tourism, in 2007 there were 4,474,454 tourists, of whom 442,704 (nearly 10 per cent) were from the United States or Canada.
http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/el...008-10-06.html
John
#2
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
Programs: Lord of Malbec & all Wines Argentine. AA EXP / Marriott Lifetime Silver / Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 35,681
While this measure is easy to justify, I still think that it is a stupid measure that ends up hurting tourism.
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
I am with Gaucho100k on this -- reciprocity fee is easy to justify but still doesn't make sense when the objective is to attract as many tourists as possible.
When the North American and European economic situation is on a rough road -- and is only going to get rougher in the near term -- this approach doesn't help to attract tourists (who are already inclined to cut back on leisure activities due to declining real incomes) or even conference planners / conference attendees (when the business travellers are also trying to reduce costs tremendously in whatever ways they can).
When the North American and European economic situation is on a rough road -- and is only going to get rougher in the near term -- this approach doesn't help to attract tourists (who are already inclined to cut back on leisure activities due to declining real incomes) or even conference planners / conference attendees (when the business travellers are also trying to reduce costs tremendously in whatever ways they can).
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SFO, EZE
Programs: UA 1K 2.32 MM
Posts: 2,425
I wonder if Global Exchange will get to set up a cambio before immigration for tourists that don't have dollars/pesos ... Otherwise they will have to set up ATMs that can deliver enough cash ... but what about the network limitations for withdrawals? ... and the changing exchange rates ...
#6
Join Date: May 2005
Location: various cities in the USofA: NYC, BWI, IAH, ORD, CVG, NYC
Programs: Former UA 1K, National Exec. Elite
Posts: 5,485
However, most trips aren't like that; the $131 fee would be a pretty small increase in cost. The real issue would probably be the distasteful feeling that the fee would give tourists, something that could easily alter perceptions of the experience (and chances of returning or recommending Argentina to friends).
#7
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: London UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,042
It certainly would have made Mrs. ralfp & I think twice about our last minute weekend trip to BA (from IAH) last year. Given that we used miles and stayed 1 night (two on the airplane) the fee would have significantly altered the cost equation.
However, most trips aren't like that; the $131 fee would be a pretty small increase in cost. The real issue would probably be the distasteful feeling that the fee would give tourists, something that could easily alter perceptions of the experience (and chances of returning or recommending Argentina to friends).
However, most trips aren't like that; the $131 fee would be a pretty small increase in cost. The real issue would probably be the distasteful feeling that the fee would give tourists, something that could easily alter perceptions of the experience (and chances of returning or recommending Argentina to friends).
As for the distasteful feeling, I get that often when entering the US and have to have my fingerprints and photo taken while the CBP officer is asking me in a (usually) brusque manner "What are you here for?"
#8
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 974
Ouch !
Ouch ! This is not good news.
While I can certainly appreciate the sentiment of a "reciprocity" fee, I agree completely with previous posters that this has the potential to hurt the tourism industry. Actually I am surprised that only 10 % of Argentine visitors are from USA / Canada.
Am I safe in assuming that we do NOT pass through Argentine immigration if connecting in EZE ? Flying AA in November from DFW - EZE, then EZE - MVD.
Am I also safe assuming that this fee won't be collected for land / sea arrivals ( ala Chile ) ?
If anyone can provide an English translation to the key points in the article that would be much appreciated. I can pick out bits and pieces, but my Spanish is not good.
While I can certainly appreciate the sentiment of a "reciprocity" fee, I agree completely with previous posters that this has the potential to hurt the tourism industry. Actually I am surprised that only 10 % of Argentine visitors are from USA / Canada.
Am I safe in assuming that we do NOT pass through Argentine immigration if connecting in EZE ? Flying AA in November from DFW - EZE, then EZE - MVD.
Am I also safe assuming that this fee won't be collected for land / sea arrivals ( ala Chile ) ?
If anyone can provide an English translation to the key points in the article that would be much appreciated. I can pick out bits and pieces, but my Spanish is not good.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SFO, EZE
Programs: UA 1K 2.32 MM
Posts: 2,425
We don't know, when, where, or how it will be implemented. Or whether multiple entries will be permitted with a single payment/passport notation.
John
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SFO, EZE
Programs: UA 1K 2.32 MM
Posts: 2,425
#12
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: London UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,042
Am I safe in assuming that we do NOT pass through Argentine immigration if connecting in EZE ? Flying AA in November from DFW - EZE, then EZE - MVD.
Am I also safe assuming that this fee won't be collected for land / sea arrivals ( ala Chile ) ?
If anyone can provide an English translation to the key points in the article that would be much appreciated. I can pick out bits and pieces, but my Spanish is not good.
Am I also safe assuming that this fee won't be collected for land / sea arrivals ( ala Chile ) ?
If anyone can provide an English translation to the key points in the article that would be much appreciated. I can pick out bits and pieces, but my Spanish is not good.
Apart from that, it's not safe to assume anything until the law has been signed and implemented. According to the article that could be as early as this week but we'll have to wait and see.
According to the article, the Interior Ministry have based the plan on the norms applying in Brasil and Chile which would suggest that if Chile don't charge for an entry via land, Argentina won't either.
It goes on to say "Initially, the tax will be charged at airports which is where almost all tourists enter the country and where the infrastructure is already in place to be able to implement the system without difficulties. The immigration authorities will be able to designate the places where the tax will be charged, taking into account the ability to operate the system, the volume of passengers passing through and the available infrastructure"
I doubt it will be implemented at the land crossings (at least initially). Some of these are little more than a hut with a couple of officers monitoring the border so it would be difficult to implement the system there.
The article continues: "The money raised from the tax will go towards the maintenance and modernization of the infrastructure, resources and technology of the border points at air, land, sea and river borders"
Hope this quick translation helps clarify a little more.
#13
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NY
Programs: AA Plat 1MM, IC RA, HH Gold
Posts: 2,791
Although I would reluctantly pay the fee on future visits, I've avoided visiting Brazil and Chile (by air) in the past due to the reciprocity fee. At least getting a visa from the Argentine embassy will not be required unlike Brazil.
If it has to be done, the fee should be good for the life of the passport like Chile.
If it has to be done, the fee should be good for the life of the passport like Chile.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB Silver going for Gold
Posts: 21,801
I'll counter and support Argentine on this one though it'll hurt my pocketbook when I go there on future trips. Canada charges Argentinean citizens ARS 245 for single-entry visa, ARS 485 for a multiple-entry.
On my last few trips to Argentina, the bulk of tourists seem to be from Europe (lots of Italians, Spaniards, Brits and Germans - including a group that had brought their M-B geladewagens with them, and a smattering of New Zealanders. Maybe Argentina thinks it can forgo N. American (-Mexico) tourists, and I certainly hope they can.
On my last few trips to Argentina, the bulk of tourists seem to be from Europe (lots of Italians, Spaniards, Brits and Germans - including a group that had brought their M-B geladewagens with them, and a smattering of New Zealanders. Maybe Argentina thinks it can forgo N. American (-Mexico) tourists, and I certainly hope they can.
#15
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS 100K, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat Amb, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 3,146
It's worth pointing out that in such cases, Americans are completely in control of how much they pay for a visa. I see lots of complaints on FT about visa reciprocity fees, yet few efforts by those complainers to get the U.S. government to reduce visa fees imposed on foreign tourists.