Latest news with #entryfee
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
British tourists face price hikes for holidays to Europe under planned EU travel policy
Holidays to Europe will cost more if EU proposals to increase its planned entry fee go ahead. Currently, plans are for holidaymakers from outside the bloc to pay €7 (£5.98) for an online permit when entering as part of the Etias scheme. The system is due to be rolled out from next year, following the introduction of the Entry/Exit System, which will eventually require biometric data to be provided at the border. But the European Union is considering raising the price to help with repayments on a €350 billion (£299 billion) debt used to fund the post-Covid recovery, according to Politico. Etias, which stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System, is emerging as one of the most popular tax options ahead of budget proposals next month, the publication said. This would be a further blow to Brits, who already face longer queues and more red tape since Brexit. 'A possible adjustment of the fee' is being considered, a European Commission spokesperson told Politico. And a note seen by the website saw the Polish rotating Council presidency write: 'It seems that there is a possibility of a gradual increase of the fee, strengthening the long-term revenue potential.' The Mail has contacted the European Commission for comment. The proposed €7 fee is cheaper than the £16 charged to apply for the UK's version, the Electronic Travel Authorisation, or the $21 (£15.60) price of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization used by the US. The news comes at a time of softening of relations between the UK and EU, with hopes that tourists will face easier experiences at passport control and suffer less bureaucracy on the continent. British tourists have begun using e-gates at Faro Airport after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed an agreement with EU leaders last month. However, they are still facing queues of nearly half an hour. Mark Francois, Conservative MP for Rayleigh and Wickford as well as chairman of the European Research Group of Tory Brexiteers, is unhappy with any potential price rise for the Etias. 'This just adds insult to injury over the Government's so-called Brexit reset,' he told GB News. 'Not only has it become apparent that promises of British tourists being fast-tracked through e-gates in EU countries were largely illusory, even when they do get through immigration, they will now pay extra for the privilege.'
Daily Mail
30-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Tourists fume as they're charged 'rip off' price to walk along pier at iconic seaside town
Visitors have been left raging over a £2 charge to visit a popular pier in a busy seaside resort. Opened in 1899, Brighton Palace Pier is an iconic Brighton landmark and has fairground rides, arcade games and restaurants. It was free to enter until last year, when tourists started being charged £1 entry between the months of March and September. But now the price has doubled. And, although the £2 entry charge includes a £1 voucher to spend on the pier, some visitors are far from happy with the new price, with one even insisting they won't 'go back'. A reviewer on Tripadvisor described the pier's 'admission charge as a joke'. 'Rajb_UK' wrote: 'What a rip of people turning around and leaving. 'No wonder the number of visitors on a Bank Holiday Monday was go back again.' Another visitor 'HalyconDays' wrote: 'It is some time since we had been on the Palace Pier. We [were] absolutely flabbergasted to find out they were charging £2 a person to get on.' Visitor 'JJ L' , who left a one star review, said: 'What a scam! What a disappointment that is has become paid!' 'Gregory P' said: 'Absolutely disgusting that they are now charging a fee to walk down the pier! 'You should be ashamed of yourselves. I refuse to come back to the pier until it's free again!' However, local residents can still access the pier for free all year round, as long as they apply for a special card. Brighton Palace Pier told the Mirror that people with a BN postcode just need to collect a resident's card from the team at the pier entrance or apply on the website for free entry. And not everyone was upset by the £2 entry fee. 'KateLondon_9' said: 'First time paying to enter the pier but you do get money off the rides. There's plenty to do - arcade games, rides, food and drinks.' 'Michael B' wrote: 'This is a piece of history that should and has been preserved for many more years of enjoyment. 'Great to spend some time in the old penny arcade playing the vintage games. Great outlook over the ocean.' The pier team told The Mirror: 'The pier is a substantial structure and in recent years maintenance cards have risen by more than a third. 'The admission fee is critical in helping to meet the unique challenges and costs of preserving the pier's structural integrity as well as continuing to remain as an all-year-round attraction.' Brighton Palace Pier is currently the city's fourth-best rated attraction on Tripadvisor with four out of five stars.
