PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A Phoenix-based tour group is suing the Trump administration over its higher fees for international tourists to national parks, arguing that the fees are “unprecedented and unlawful” and have led to a loss in business.
In a lawsuit filed Monday, Across Arizona Tours argued that the Trump administration imposed these fees with “no inherent authority” and without congressional authorization.
“Federal agencies cannot make up fees as they please,” Pacific Legal Foundation attorney Jacob Haas, who’s representing the tour group, said in a statement.
“Only Congress can authorize federal fees. And Congress has never authorized higher fees for nonresidents — not least because such a policy would discourage international tourism and hurt companies like Across Arizona Tours,” he added.
Across Arizona Tours, which has operated since 2002, said that it has seen a decline in business over the past year, as many of its potential nonresident customers are skipping a visit to the Grand Canyon, citing the high fees.
“These new fees have had an adverse effect on Plaintiff Across Arizona Tours, which has predictably lost business from would-be tourists who are now opting against visiting the Grand Canyon,” the lawsuit said.
The increased entry fee for foreign tourists went into effect in January, after President Donald Trump signed an executive order last year.
International visitors have to pay an extra $100 per person to enter the Grand Canyon, on top of the standard $20 to $35 fee. Or they can purchase an annual pass at $250 — more than three times the $80 charge for U.S. citizens and residents — to enter the park.
Across Arizona Tours also claimed in its lawsuit that the National Park Service’s residency requirement has created “friction” with some customers who believe the residency questions are “invasive.”
The lawsuit seeks to put an end to the nonresident entrance fees and the nonresident annual pass.
Supporters of the fees say they ensure that foreign visitors contribute to the maintenance of U.S. parks and point to other countries’ extra fees for international tourists to visit sites.
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