National Parks at Risk of Sharp Tourism Decline
ABA and leading tourism associations urge Trump administration to rethink approach
Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Zion, and Yellowstone – these iconic national parks draw millions of visitors from around the world every summer. In 2023 alone, visitors to U.S. national parks spent over $26.4 billion in nearby communities, supporting more than 415,000 jobs, $19.4 billion in labor income, and generating $55.6 billion in total economic output. This economic boom, largely driven by international travelers, is now at risk just as the summer travel season kicks off.
The 2026 Department of the Interior budget proposal calls for the National Park Service to impose a surcharge on foreign visitors, estimated to generate more than $90 million.
The Beyond Borders Tourism Coalition – a unified alliance of leading U.S. and Canadian tourism associations led by the American Bus Association – has voiced strong opposition to this proposal.
“The proposed surcharge on foreign park visitors is a prime example of this counterproductive trend,” said Fred Ferguson, CEO of the American Bus Association. “International travelers are not just guests at our nation’s most treasured landscapes – they are essential economic contributors to the surrounding communities. This fee proposal risks sending a signal to global travelers that they are no longer welcome. Even if the increase seems modest in the context of total trip costs, the cumulative effect could be significant, especially in international markets still rebounding from global travel disruptions.”
The Coalition includes the Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO), the International Inbound Travel Association (IITA), the National Tour Association (NTA), the Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA), and the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA).
Approximately one-third of all international visitors to the United States – around 14 million people – include national parks in their travel plans. Their spending sustains small businesses, tour companies, restaurants, hotels, and transportation services. For many rural communities, especially those near park lands, this tourism is not a bonus – it is a lifeline.
The Coalition is urging the Administration and Congress to reconsider the proposed fee hike and instead align policies that celebrate our nation’s upcoming milestone: the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Rather than raising prices on international travelers and sending the wrong message to our global guests, the Department of the Interior should consider more forward-looking strategies—such as offering discounted or free admission for domestic visitors in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. This could include an emphasis on lesser-known yet equally spectacular parks.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has already launched the Great American Road Trip initiative to encourage domestic travel and showcase our country’s landscapes and heritage. Aligning National Park Service policy with this initiative – by incentivizing domestic visitation instead of penalizing international travelers – would strengthen small businesses, boost local tourism, and celebrate our national parks as unifying symbols of American identity.
Sincerely,
Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA)
American Bus Association (ABA)
Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO)
International Inbound Travel Association (IITA)
National Tour Association (NTA)
Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA)
United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA)
Read the letter sent to Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Interior, on June 10, 2025.
What can I do?
We’re asking you to take action today. Tell Congress to oppose this harmful proposal and instead support smart, inclusive policies that ensure our national parks remain maintained, accessible, and welcoming to all—while continuing to drive economic growth.
