Inbound Travel Industry Raises Alarm Over New U.S. National Park Surcharge for International Visitors Set to Impact Group Tours and International Visitation in 2026

Published on December 5, 2025

The recently announced international visitor surcharge for 11 major U.S. national parks has raised serious concerns within the inbound travel industry, which warns that the new fees could disrupt pre-booked tours and strain already declining international visitation. Scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, the plan introduces a $100 per-person, per-park surcharge for international visitors, while the cost of the America the Beautiful annual pass for nonresidents will rise to $250.

While the National Park Service has framed the initiative as a measure to secure sustainable funding for park operations, the inbound travel sector argues that the timing and structure of the surcharge create immediate logistical and financial challenges for international tour operators. Many tours for 2026 have been contracted and sold 18 to 24 months in advance, often including multiple national parks. The addition of $100 per person per park could dramatically increase costs, making it impossible for operators to retroactively adjust pricing without violating contractual obligations.

Industry representatives highlight that these unplanned expenses may lead to tour cancellations, significant financial losses for operators, and ultimately a decrease in revenue for national parks and surrounding communities. The potential impact on gateway towns, which rely heavily on international tourism, is of particular concern. These communities often see international visitors accounting for 30–50% of offseason tourism, generating consistent year-round revenue for small businesses, hotels, restaurants, and local attractions.

To mitigate potential disruptions, the inbound travel sector is urging the Department of the Interior and National Park Service to consider a targeted delay in applying the surcharge to group tours. Such a delay would provide time to clarify operational procedures, receive industry input, and explore alternative solutions that balance funding goals with the economic realities of tour operators and their international customers.

The request for a phased or delayed implementation comes amid a challenging period for U.S. inbound travel. Overseas visitation to the United States has fallen more than 3% year-to-date, while Canadian travel has declined by 25%, resulting in nearly 4 million fewer trips. Key long-haul markets also continue to underperform, placing the U.S. in a highly competitive global tourism landscape. Industry voices caution that adding further cost barriers could exacerbate these declines, particularly with high-profile events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the America250 celebrations, and the Route 66 Centennial on the horizon. Other countries are actively targeting international travelers, threatening to capture market share as U.S. visitation struggles to recover.

Beyond the immediate effects on tours, the surcharge could have broader economic implications. International visitors contributed $254 billion to the U.S. economy in 2024, supporting jobs and local businesses across the country. National parks serve as critical hubs for tourism-driven growth, particularly in rural areas where visitor spending sustains community economies. An increase in fees risks discouraging these essential visitors, potentially reducing overall economic activity in regions that depend on tourism dollars.

In response, the inbound travel sector has requested urgent consultations with the Department of the Interior and National Park Service leadership to share operational expertise and explore workable alternatives. The objective is to identify approaches that increase revenue for national parks without undermining international demand or jeopardizing tours already booked for 2026. Collaborative solutions could include phased fee implementation, differentiated pricing for group tours, or other measures that maintain the parks’ appeal while supporting financial sustainability.

The situation underscores the delicate balance between funding America’s national treasures and sustaining the nation’s position as a top global travel destination. Careful planning, communication with international partners, and industry engagement are seen as essential to ensuring that the National Park Service can achieve its financial goals without unintended negative consequences for tourism, communities, and international visitors.

The coming months will be critical in determining whether a cooperative approach can be established, allowing both the parks and the inbound travel industry to thrive together. Without adjustments, experts warn that the surcharge could inadvertently hinder visitation, threaten revenue for local economies, and diminish the United States’ competitive edge in the global tourism market.