Donald Trump signs new executive order that will have a huge impact on people visiting US tourist destinations

Donald Trump has introduced a new rule that could significantly change how people from outside the United States experience the country’s national parks.

He signed an executive order that would raise the cost for foreign tourists to enter these parks, while keeping the fees the same or lower for American citizens.

This is part of his broader political message of putting “America First,” meaning he wants to give priority to Americans in decisions about public services and government programs.

For many people around the world, visiting the U.S. is about more than cities and shopping. A big part of the appeal is the chance to see the country’s stunning natural landscapes. Whether it’s the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, or any of the 63 national parks scattered across the country, these parks attract millions of visitors every year.

Many travelers dream of renting a car or camper van and setting out on a classic American road trip, exploring forests, mountains, lakes, and deserts. But under this new order, international tourists will likely have to pay more to enjoy these same experiences.

The announcement was made at a rally in Iowa on July 4th, where Trump told supporters that the money collected from the higher entrance fees would go toward improving the national park system.

He said that raising the fees for foreign visitors would help pay for better services, repairs, and upgrades in the parks, all while making sure that American families aren’t priced out of enjoying their own public lands. He stressed that national parks should serve American citizens first and foremost.

To carry out this plan, Trump directed the Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, to come up with a clear strategy. This includes deciding how much more foreign visitors would be charged and how the new system would work.

The order applies only to parks that already have an entrance fee, which means not every park will be affected. But many of the most popular and well-known parks do charge for access, so international visitors planning to see these places may need to budget more for their trips.

In addition to higher entrance fees, the executive order also calls for giving American citizens special treatment when it comes to things like permits, lotteries, or other rules that limit the number of visitors.

For example, in some parks where access to certain areas is restricted, people have to enter a lottery system or apply for a limited number of permits. Under Trump’s order, U.S. residents would be placed ahead of foreign tourists in these systems.

At the same time, Trump’s order tells the Interior Department to continue encouraging international tourism to the U.S., even though visitors from other countries might be paying more. This might seem like a mixed message, but the idea is to raise money from international visitors while still welcoming them to enjoy what America has to offer.

Another major change included in the order is the cancellation of a policy put in place by former President Barack Obama during the final months of his time in office.

That policy was designed to make national parks more welcoming and inclusive to people from different backgrounds, especially communities that have historically been underrepresented in outdoor recreation. Trump’s order removed that initiative completely, signaling a different direction for park management.

Right now, it’s not known exactly when these new prices will go into effect or how much more international travelers will have to pay. However, the Department of the Interior included a rough estimate in a recent budget plan, suggesting that the change could bring in over $90 million every year once it’s in place. That figure shows just how many tourists from outside the U.S. visit the parks and how much more revenue the government hopes to collect from them.

This new policy also follows a period where the Trump administration made significant cuts to the National Park Service. Since Trump took office, about 24 percent of the agency’s full-time staff have been laid off, according to the National Parks Conservation Association.

These staff cuts, combined with aging infrastructure and increased visitor numbers, have put pressure on the parks. The extra money from foreign tourists could help fill some of those funding gaps, but it also raises questions about fairness and accessibility.

While some Americans might support the idea of giving citizens a break and asking tourists to pay more, critics argue that this could make the parks feel less welcoming to international visitors and goes against the spirit of shared global appreciation for natural wonders. National parks have long been promoted as places for everyone, regardless of nationality, to enjoy and connect with nature.

Overall, the executive order represents a major shift in how the United States manages access to its natural landmarks.

It puts more financial responsibility on international visitors, prioritizes American citizens in park access, and rolls back efforts to make the parks more inclusive. What impact this will have on tourism, funding, and public opinion is still unfolding.