New U.S. Entry Rules Have Fort Myers Beach Tourism Officials Worried
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says Canadians will need to sign up online before staying longer than 30 days beginning April 11. The change could hurt Lee County’s important tourism…
LONDON – JULY 31: An Air Canada passenger plane is shown in flight at Heathrow Airport July 31, 2002 in London, England. Passenger numbers have fallen since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. Airline companies have all suffered a difficult trading period. (Photo by John Li/Getty Images)
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says Canadians will need to sign up online before staying longer than 30 days beginning April 11.
The change could hurt Lee County's important tourism industry. Over 200,000 Canadians visit local beaches and attractions yearly, making them the biggest group of international visitors.
Jacki Liszak, President of the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, is hearing concerns from Canadians who may not return due to the new rules, telling Fox 4, "He told us at the chamber that unfortunately, they could not come to visit Fort Myers Beach because he just did not agree with what was being asked of him to cross the border."
Longtime Canadian visitor Serge Seguin is worried about the new steps that have to be taken to cross the border but says that he'll continue to visit Fort Myers Beach to escape the harsh Canadian winter conditions.
