TORONTO — U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that will raise entrance fees for international visitors to America’s national parks – a move that could further impact inbound travel and group tour operations, particularly those focused on the country’s iconic natural landmarks.
As reported by CTV News, the order directs the U.S. Interior Department – parent agency of the Park Service – to increase fees for foreign nationals visiting national parks, which according to the White House will generate “hundreds of millions of dollars” in additional revenue to support conservation and infrastructure improvements. The order also calls for U.S. citizens to receive priority access in permitting and reservation systems.
While the order provides no details on when the increase would take effect or how much more foreign visitors can expect to pay, tour operators are watching developments closely.
“At this time, we’re not anticipating changes to our National Park tour pricing,” said Stephanie Brooks, Vice President of Product and Operations for Globus family of brands, which offers several tours that focus on U.S. national parks as part of its Globus portfolio. “However, without clear guidance on how and when the National Park Service will implement fee increases – particularly how group and commercial entry fees will be applied – it’s too early to quantify the potential impact.”
Brooks emphasized that while the intent to reinvest in national parks is commendable, implementation matters.
“We recognize the importance of investing in our national parks and supporting long-overdue conservation efforts. Fee increases must be introduced with transparency, collaboration and ample lead time. Without that, the burden falls squarely on tour operators and travel advisors, who need time to adjust pricing and properly inform their clients.”
Another blow to inbound travel?
The timing of the executive order is noteworthy. The Trump administration has simultaneously proposed more than US$1 billion in cuts to the National Park Service’s FY2026 budget – a reduction of more than a third from the previous year, reports CTV News. Staff shortages already plague many U.S. national parks, raising concerns about the visitor experience, especially as international guests are asked to pay more.
“Increasing fees disproportionately for international travellers sends the wrong message at the wrong time,” Brooks added. “We urge the Department of Interior to weigh the economic ripple effects of these changes – not just inside the parks, but in the gateway communities that rely on tourism dollars.”
Trade tensions, visa delays and other inbound travel headwinds have already created challenges for the U.S. travel industry. Brooks warns that this latest move adds another layer of complexity.
“There’s no doubt that rising fees – from national park entry to visa applications – create headwinds for international travel. Layer in trade tensions and tariff talks and it’s a tough climate for inbound tourism,” she said. “As a company that stands for the power of travel to connect people and cultures, these decisions are hard to swallow and leave us with the extra burden on
both pricing and messaging to find ways to encourage and welcome inbound travel.”
Industry response: Going on the offense
Rather than simply respond, Globus is taking proactive steps to counteract the negative perception.
“In light of this, we’re taking action that does send the right message – because incentives alone aren’t enough,” said Brooks. “We’ve gone on offense here, including a new video for the industry, our advisor partners and guests that delivers the message about travel that connects rather than divides,” Brooks said.
