A REALLY dumb decision!
 

Our newspapers are reporting that the Argentine government is going to charge tourists a "reciprocity fee" (while still NOT demanding a visa) equivalent to the cost of the visa demanded by their country to Argentine tourists.

Brazil has been doing something similar for quite some time, I believe. The difference would be that Brazil actually requires a visa.

Argentines have to pay 131 dollars for the right to request a visa to the US. If, for some reason or other, you are not awarded the visa, the money is lost.

We are quite used to our government's dumb decisions, but this one has to rank among the worst.

At a time when foreign tourism to our country could be expected to decline, due to the world-wide financial crisis, the government adds this deterrent!

My good friend Punta Lugano posted yesterday about this in another forum: http://tinyurl.com/3poom3

This is what our leading daily says on the subject: http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1057264

I'll keep you posted.

You'll have a great time in our country, but it will cost you a little more!

Somewhere down the list, someone posted a link to information yesterday. It's the same thing Chile has been doing for years. You arrive, you pay $131 as a U.S. citizen because that's what an Argentine citizen must pay even to apply for a U.S. visa. The Argentine citizen gets no guarantee that the U.S. will grant the visa. At least with U.S. citizens, we don't need to apply for anything in advance. we pay and get in.

While this will directly hit me in the pocketbook, it seems fair, and I can't fault any country for implementing this system.

I agree, AV, I find it puzzling that in a time of financial crisis throughout the world, Arg would impose this. I'm not familiar with the US Visa, but I thought it was good for a year or so? This Argentine reciprocity fee sounds as if it will be charged each time you enter Argentina, is that correct? Given that I have a trip there in about a month, is it being implemented right away?

I'll go read the sites u posted. Thanks for alerting us to this.

The way the system is set up, so far, US tourists would have to pay each time they enter our country. I have been told it probably will be added to their plane ticket.

The US charged me 131 dollars to apply for a visa, but I got a visa for 10 years and I don't have to pay again until after that period.

Besides, the US are supposed to do some kind of background check, before they grant you a visa.

Argentina's (my country) government does not seem to care who gets in, as long as they pay.

So, I believe there is a big difference and I don't think it is fair at all, particularly for the locals involved in the tourism business. But I'm quite confident our government couldn't care less.

Yestravel, I posted without seeing your questions, but I believe I answered most of them.

About how soon they'll start charging this "thing", I'm not sure, at this writing.

I'll keep you posted.

Interesting. Yes, there is supposed to be a background check for a US Visa and I know that can cost $100 or so.

I'll keep an eye for your updates. Thanks again

U might want to repost this info with a title related to Arg so other future travelers to Arg will know about this.

We're leaving for BA in two weeks and are really wondering when this will take effect, how it will be collected ie credit, cash, $. Hope you can answer some of these questions in the near future. I'll keep looking. Thanks for all the updates.

Says, Ana, a "destination expert" on another forum: "it's not a visa that they will require, it's a fee of $131 and yes it will last you for a long time. So, no, you will not have to pay every time!!!!"

I hope she is right about not having to pay every time. I'm not sure about that, yet.

Oh no! This is really a bad thing. Argentina is an amazing country but now it will cost so much to go there. When I do a cost coparison, Europe would be cheaper. Not good at all.

I'm leaving in 2 weeks, wonder if I will have to pay. What happens if it starts once I'm there, do I have to pay to get out, lol? Not very happy about it, guess I have no choice.

I am still in shock. I read the article and cant believe that the fee is for each time one visits Argentina. At least with Chile the fee is good for the life of your passport. I cant imagine having to pay this fee is going to bring in more tourists. What a bummer! Pure greed, pure greed!

What I've read too seems to indicate that it will be what Chile does. You pay and it's good for the life of your passport. Are you sure that it's $131 each time you enter?

The AP report:

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/...ntina-Visa.php

If it's the same system that Chile employs, then it seems completely fair to me. I may not like forking over the money, but I support any country's right to introduce such a system, when it's what their citizens have to do. And we as U.S. citizens still have to jump through fewer hoops in that we don't have to get a visa in advance.

WHOA !!!!!
I didn't even know about the $131 to enter Chile !! So next month when my wife and I fly into Santiago and cruise around ending in Buenos Aires there will be an added $524 for the pair? That's half our drinking money right there!

That blows

OK, guys, this is the latest I have:

Apparently, this "fee" will start being charged January 1.

It is not yet quite clear to me how it will work for the tourist who visits Argentina often. I may know about it tomorrow.

In the meantime, this is what our leading daily says on the subject today:

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?...0&toi=6276

The people in the tourism business are furious, as was to be expected.

Meanwhile, the argument continues, elsewhere:

http://tinyurl.com/3poom3

Sorry, Jeff but I strongly yet respectfully disagree with you. I think that it is short sighted of Argentina to take this measure. Tourism has helped the economy in the past seven years in Argentina. This new fee will certainly have a negative impact on travel to this country. Its a bad move whether it is fair or not. I do agree with you that I dont like forking out $131 just to enter the country where I might be spending hundreds if not a few thousand dollars.

AV, thanks for the update. I'm happy to see that it will not be in place for our upcoming visit in a month. While I love what I have seen of Argentina, I will say that this new fee will be a factor when we think about other trips to your great country. Appreciate you keeping us informed on these things.

Oh, I understand exactly what you're saying, travelme. :) Whether or not it's a good tactical decision or not is another issue. No doubt it will hurt tourism, and if I worked in the industry there, I'd be upset too.

I think it's a fair decision though.

Todd, I believe if it's next month, you will have to fork over "only" $262 when you land in Chile. It appears that Argentina's fee takes effect Jan. 1.

Is there a reduced amount for minors? We are going there in March with our two kids (ages 16 and 13). Paying $524 for all 4 of us is a bummer!

A few years ago I was on a flight to Chile. At that time, the fee was $100. A U.S. family of five was on the opposite side of the plane. All of a sudden, the dad blurted out, loud enough for everyone else to hear, "We have to pay $500 when we land!!!" He had been reading their guidebook in flight and stumbled upon this tidbit of information.

Well, guys, it seems that different sectors of our government are arguing among themselves about this, which confirms they don't know what the .... they are doing. I guess that's why they got their job in the first place! LOL!!

Our Tourism Secretary obviously got a lot of complaints and rumor has it that he called our Minister of the Interior (our version of the US State Dept.), asking him to delay the measure. Besides, I guess there must have been some complaining in the order of "you are treading on my turf".

Of course, all this was officially denied.

Here you can find what our leading daily says about this today:

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?...amp;high=tasas

Elsewhere, after about 80 posts, the argument on this subject had somehow or other evolved to whether we Argentines love or hate Americans. Oops, I'm sorry, I mean US citizens! We are Americans too!

See: http://tinyurl.com/3poom3

Well, I guess that if you guys wish to find info about this obviously tourism-related matter, you'll have to come here, where we enjoy free speech (within reasonable limits, of course). LOL!!!

Interesting that the other thread got deleted over at TA.

Of course from an economic perspective, it seems stupid to add the fee, but I can understand the sentiment. If the US does it, this is just fair payback.

As an aside, anyone who has visited the consular section at a US embassy in Latin America, will understand why the fee exists. It both serves to pay for a small part of the cost of running the US embassy, as well acts a a deterrent in US immigration policies.

As somebody who travels a lot, I would also say that I have never worried much about visa fees. Granted, my nationality enables me not to pay much most of the time, but typically the cost of a visa is dwarfed by the other expenses I incur. Good way to raise additional revenue for the gov't.

The Buenos Aires Herald (the local English language daily) published an editorial on this subject.

There are parts I agree with and parts I don't like.

Forgetting about the latter, this is part of what the Herald says:

"At a time when Argentina needs all the foreign exchange it can muster, this new levy has been aptly criticized as “export duties for tourism”.... it now risks discouraging tourism during a global crisis when few enough people feel inclined to travel."

"This new obstacle to tourism seems even more gratuitous than grain export duties, which at least stood to add billions to the state coffers during the commodity bubble — this move is jeopardizing a tourist revenue of potentially billions for the sake of 40 million dollars. Surely the job-intensive tourist industry with its regional spin-offs (even more important in such an overcentralized country) deserves better."

The move to impose a fee is fair but stupid. That's my take on the matter.

It certainly is fair because the USA charges Argentinos $131 to come to our country. It is stupid and shortsighted to implement the charge when the world economy is in melt down mode.

In Argentina it now appears they will get you going and coming. Literally. The entry fee will be $131 and the exit fee will remain $18. Maybe the USA should charge Argentinos $18 to leave as a reciprocity fee? lol


One of the locals on Trip Advisor posted that the fee to enter Argentina is only charged once and is valid for the life of one's passport. Who knows, since it will not be implemented until Jan...and things could change between now and then.

I suggest that AV lead a protest our people in the tourism business and take to the streets to bang pots and block hiways, as the farmers did when the government got the bright idea to impose a heavy export tax on Soy.

On another note....Sorry, but I have to laugh a bit at the post that suggests our fee somehow slows down immigration. All someone who wants to visit the USA has to do is fly to Matamoras and walk accross the border with the millions of other illegals. Gratis.

Hi, Doc Dawggy!

Thank you for coming down from your lofty perch "elsewhere" as the dean of their "destination experts", in order to give us a piece of your unlimited wisdom!

JUST KIDDING! LOL!! We are good friends. In fact, drdawggy e-mailed me to make sure I wouldn't miss his post above.

However, I must ask you to make it clear to forum members and readers that you are also kidding when you suggest that I "lead a protest our people in the tourism business" (sic), as, not being in the tourism business, I am clearly not qualified to do so.

Since we are discussing reciprocity, I promise to abstain from correcting your syntax, if you do so. Well, in this thread, at least.... LOL!!!

Thanks all for the updates.

In my first post in this thread, I said:

"At a time when foreign tourism to our country could be expected to decline, due to the world-wide financial crisis, the government adds this deterrent!"

Today, our leading daily reports, quoting tourism-related sources, that reservations are down already, due to the world-wide financial crisis.

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=1058762

I you wish to come to our country and the place you wanted to reserve was booked full, this is the time to ask again!

Furthermore, now you'll get more pesos per US dollar than a few days ago. As of Friday, between 3,20 and 3,26 pesos per dollar, depending on where you sell.

http://www.dolarhoy.com/indexx.php

And the cost of accomodations may even move DOWN!

Anyway, you'll have a great time in our country!

What is very interesting about the article is the specificity with which these Argentine hotels are discussing a decrease in reservations and the like. Generally, when hotels in the states give such information they are much more circumspect and talk more generally. It is refreshing to see specific numbers. It will also be interesting to see what happens with prices.

There have already been some articles in US papers about resorts and hotels around the US throwing in "incentives and the like" due to weaker reservations, things like free bkfst, stay three nights and get a fourth night free, free parking, etc.

Following the different posts and reminding the past (May-JUne2008). I feel that the declination of tourists coming to Argetnina will affect the Industry of Tourism directly and I think AVRooster will be one of the first in organising a "CACEROLAZO" LOL! I will organise the road-blocks in the northern area to avoid the truck reach their destinations and press the government to change its mind...
If farmers could do it... Why not us!
Seriously, I DO NOT agree with this stupid decision and I expect the Diputees and Senators put a little bit of common Sense. I also expect there were clear possitions like YES or NOT instead of a "not possitive" of those who are supposed to face a political risk.
But up to January things might change.I hope so...
Flintstones

If you expect common sense from our representatives, you may have to wait forever, Flintstones.

On the other hand if you yourself "will organise the road-blocks in the northern area", I may travel out there just to see that. Never mind the natural scenery. LOL!!!

I have some ideas to attract tourist instead of making them to go away... Like "come to the NW and get your entry fee back by staying 5 days touring..."
You know I am not too fond on blocking roads. I really hate this was of protesting, there should be more productive ideas. They never come from the government.
Flints

Avrooster, do you know what the fee will be to visitors from the UK?

According to this dumb idea, it would be whatever the British charge Argentines.

I'll ask my travel agent.

However, the way things are going here, the whole thing could well be forgotten by January 1.

I have no idea, and I'm not sure where to even search!
No worries if you don't know, thought it worth asking!

The UK does NOT charge Argentines. Therefore, UK visitors to Argentina should not be required to pay this fee.

Wow, that was fast, THANK YOU!

Avrooster and others.

I do agree with the "stupidity" of the Argentine government, however, it does not compare with the Byzantine laws in the U.S.

We are flying to Argentina in March and made our plane reservations before the reciprocity charge was announced.

I'm finding that most of the hotel/apartment links are asking for US$, not pesos, so there is no savings there that I can see.

My guess is that restaurants and retail continue to become less (hopefully) expensive to travelers, as today the A$ peso is about 3.33 to the US$.

My group of 4 were already hesitant to go to the Iguazu falls, because LAN flys to the Brazil side, and there is a visa charge to enter.

As someone mentioned earlier, that really cuts into the drinking budget!

Hi, Rastaguytoday!

I am absolutely sure you are wrong about that matter of LAN flying from BA to the Brazilian side of the Iguazú Falls.

Please recheck and tell us where you got that false info from.

Things change pretty fast here. My hunch is that by March 2009 Argentina will be cheaper for foreign tourists than it is now, but my crystal ball could be hazy.

The "reciprocity fee" has never been heard from again and may or may not be applied come January 1, 2009.

You'll have a great time in our country and you'll find your "drinking budget" more than sufficient.

The Trip Advisor thread linked here was deleted for some reason ..

I might be repeating something already posted here, so forgive me, but what I posted on TA was that the fee was for the "life of the passport".. so if you have a new passport, you won't pay again for years, if you only have a year or so on it, then you can look forward to paying the $131 fee again in a year or so.
Brazil , I think charges $150 ..

Of course, the way things seem to operate here, all of this can change a few times before January.

The people who seem to be most worried are not the First time tourists but those who live here on Tourists Visas and have to leave every 90 days.. but as far as I know, the fee is one time in the life of the passport.

This what I said in my post of 10/10/2008, 06:51 am in this thread:

"Elsewhere, after about 80 posts, the argument on this subject had somehow or other evolved to whether we Argentines love or hate Americans. Oops, I'm sorry, I mean US citizens! We are Americans too!

See: http://tinyurl.com/3poom3

Well, I guess that if you guys wish to find info about this obviously tourism-related matter, you'll have to come here, where we enjoy free speech (within reasonable limits, of course). LOL!!!"

I posted the link, so people would see that a thread elsewhere about an obviously tourism-related matter had been ENTIRELY deleted, after EIGHTY posts. Totally misguided and brutal censorship, if you ask me! The reason: none required. Quoting them: "we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason."

It is the timing which is really DUMB.....
I live in the US, and each day I receive all kind of e mails offering travel discounts, promotions, bonuses etc etc.
Is the Argentinean Government out touch with what is going on in the world?
$130 per person might not seem a lot, but tourists usually do not travel alone, most of the time they travel in pairs, that means$260 and sometimes families travel together. My son and his family were recently in Argentina , for them it would have meant an extra
$520, that is a considerable extra expense.
BTW the tempting emails I get offering discounts amount to no more than
$100 to $200, meaning that they know that this amount can mean something for the prospective traveler.

The Argentine Government are totally out of touch with reality, wake up, tourism is going down ALL over the world, HELLOOO....there is a world crisis...

Helping to kill the chicken of the golden eggs comes to my mind.( Mind you the chicken is doing poorly all over the world)