Reciprocity Fees in National Geographic Traveler

My comments about visa reciprocity fees appear in this month's National Geographic Traveler magazine. It is a brief response to Christopher Elliot's 'Letter to the President' in the November/December 2008 issue and on Nat Geo's Intelligent Travel Blog.

This only appears in the mag's Travel Talk section (March 2009).

"Many countries have begun issuing visa reciprocity fees for visitors to counter the high tariffs imposed during the U.S. visa process. While paying $131 to visit Chile or [$100 to visit] Suriname may not seem like much money to some, imagine the costs to a backpacker, businessperson, or family of four on a multicountry journey. The U.S. should look hard at the policies that have inspired these fees and consider whether the revenue from foreign visa applications is worth the financial hardship for travelers."

Among other issues raised by the Dear Mr President letter was the critical need for a National [high-speed] Railroad System.