European travel industry urges EU to reconsider ETIAS tariff growth

The leaders of European aviation and travel groups have criticised the proposed increase in the European Information System fee and Travel Authorisation (ETIAS) from 7m to $20.

A joint statement by travel industry leaders, including the European Association of Travel Agents and Tourist Operators (ECTAA), the European Tourism Association and the Air Line for Europe (A4E), said the price increase was disproportional and a threat to the competitiveness of the continent's travel.

“This increase seems disproportional and conflicts with the initial goal of the accomplices (European Parliament and the Council), who agreed on a modest and reasonable fee during the 2018-based negotiations a key result supported by the travel and tourism sector”, says in the statement, broadcast Klaankosova.tv.

They stressed concerns about justice and stressed that although the increase in the fee may be small on its own, it would increase rising costs for families.

This is especially because overnight payment taxes have also been raised in several popular European cities, such as Barcelona, Venice and Lisbon.

The ETIAS tariff increase represents another “cost and administrative burden for travelers, with little visible benefit for user experience”, according to Patrick Diemer, chairman of BT4Europe, reported by Business Travel News.

He added: “We support safe and efficient access systems, but only where they offer real value to travellers and businesses alike. This tax increase sends the wrong signal. ”

ET The IAS will likely start operating at the end of next year, demanding that no- The EU, excluded from visas from countries like the United Kingdom, Brazil, Canada and Australia, will receive an online authorization before travelling to the EU. /Periscopi/