By I guess the US government is desperate to get money where ever they can get it:
TRAVELLERS from countries which do not require visas for the United States – such as Australia, New Zealand, Britain, France and South Korea – must pay a $US14 ($A15) tax starting from today.
People from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries must “pay operational and travel promotion fees” when applying for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), the US Customs and Border Protection said on its website.
“The total fee for a new or renewed ESTA will be $14,” the website said. The breakdown includes $US10 tax and $US4 to recover the cost of the ESTA system.
The ESTA has been required of travellers from VWP countries since January 2009, it said. The system allows travellers for business or tourism to stay 90 days or less. [AAP]
12:19 am on September 9th, 2010 1
There is plenty more the US could do to improve the tourist experience, and improve its image among visitors from other countries.
(An earlier post on this news: http://briandeutsch.blogspot.com/2010/03/tourism-…
8:40 am on September 9th, 2010 2
If Koreans keep up with their B.S. in not returning back to Korea…they are going to lose their VWP status.
Immigration officials are already taking issues with Koreans not leaving the U.S. and overstaying.
Why should the U.S. improve tourists experience? Improve its image?!
What, is the U.S the only country with a bad image?!
11:30 am on September 9th, 2010 3
The Us is bankrupt. Whitey long-nose has worn out his welcome. Real Corean ladies will not date big nosed, cheese smelling GI's. The average IQ in Corea is 189. Japanese people are rude and inconsiderate.
Did I forget. Is there anything else Tom?
12:40 pm on September 9th, 2010 4
# 3 Tom does not have time to answer. He is busy trying to get $14 so he can enjoy a visit to the US.
1:32 pm on September 9th, 2010 5
#4 that is a lot of short times with big noses for Tom, 28 in fact. No wonder she's so angry all the time.
9:07 pm on September 9th, 2010 6
"The Us is bankrupt. Whitey long-nose has worn out his welcome. Real Corean ladies will not date big nosed, cheese smelling GI’s. The average IQ in Corea is 189. Japanese people are rude and inconsiderate.
Did I forget. Is there anything else Tom? "
I would change the "Japanese people" part to "American people". I have nothing against the Japanese people, I love the Japanese people as long as we stay away from each other, and I've never said anything negative against them because I'm largely apathetic towards them.
10:30 am on September 10th, 2010 7
#3,
Not, it isn't the only one that has an image problem…But, when you have a country that claims it holds itself to higher standards, it should care about its image.
10:33 am on September 10th, 2010 8
#6,
Apathy breed contempt.
4:30 pm on September 10th, 2010 9
#3 Leon LaPorte states – "The Us is bankrupt. Whitey long-nose has worn out his welcome. Real Corean ladies will not date big nosed, cheese smelling GI’s. The average IQ in Corea is 189. Japanese people are rude and inconsiderate."
Whitey long-nose or big nose? I think this is important, aside from smelling like a Wisconsin whore. Is a high bridged nose actually bigger than a flat, simian "Roman nose"? Should we consider the overall surface area of the nose as the true measure of a "big nose"?
Also worth noting, I believe you mixed up the numbers in your IQ statement. 981 is the correct average score as per the Korea Times.
7:56 pm on September 10th, 2010 10
#9 I stand corrected. I believe it is likely due to the fact that Korea (glistening) has 4 distinct seasons.
10:56 pm on September 10th, 2010 11
Looking at the comments in this thread, isn't it obvious Korea's IQ is much higher than the GI's?
And as Leon LaPorte's comments, that's what you get when one does a self hand job with one hand, while typing with the other. Please wipe your keyboards when done, Leon.
8:38 am on September 11th, 2010 12
#11 I couldn't resist after your mom sent me all those naughty pictures…
8:39 am on September 11th, 2010 13
#11 Red Devil Tom states – "Looking at the comments in this thread, isn’t it obvious Korea’s IQ is much higher than the GI’s?
And as Leon LaPorte’s comments, that’s what you get when one does a self hand job with one hand, while typing with the other. Please wipe your keyboards when done, Leon."
Leon,
You use more than one keyboard at your computer? How many hands do you have? The chicks must dig you! My concern is how the Red Devil knows you use more than one key board. Say it aint so!