OTTAWA - Manitoba NDP MP Jim Maloway's campaign to reduce passport fees in Canada and the U.S. received unanimous support from a large group of American legislators Wednesday.

Maloway says slashing passport fees would reverse the massive drop of American tourists in Canada, and more than 500 legislators from Illinois to North Dakota agreed with him and called on both federal governments to cut fees for all new and renewal passports.

Passports for an American family of four can cost over $500, Maloway said.

"We would like to see an American family use their savings on passport fees to spend on their Canadian vacation."

Maloway's resolution encourages both governments to consider a temporary two for one passport offer but it doesnąt force any changes.

Less than a third of Americans have passports and despite a U.S. surge in demand since new travel requirements kicked in 2007, tourism numbers in Canada have dropped by two million visitors in the past two years.

The U.S. government hiked all passport fees this July. An adult passport now costs $140 instead of $100, plus another $25 for an execution fee for first-time applicants.

Cheaper U.S. passport cards and enhanced drivers licences, which can only be used to cross by land and sea, have failed to attract many buyers, Maloway said.

althia.raj@sunmedia.ca