President Obama on Thursday signed the Travel Promotion Act, establishing a public-private corporation that will administer a national marketing program to attract foreign travelers.
The bill had received final passage in the Senate last week.
The Corporation for Travel Promotion will develop a multichannel marketing and communications program. It will be funded through a matching program allowing up to $100 million in private sector contributions as well as from a $10 fee on travelers from countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program.
Each traveler will be required to pay the fee once every two years. The fee will be collected in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization.