BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Sellers of Caribbean travel are enticing consumers with incentives to obtain a passport in light of the impending Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which will be implemented on Jan. 8, 2007 for all travelers re-entering the U.S. via air transportation.
Travelers arriving by land and sea will eventually need to possess a passport as well, but this does not take effect until June 2009.
“The Caribbean region applauds the WHTI and the U.S. Government’s efforts to increase security at the borders,” said Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). “However, we believe that by having different sets of rules depending on one’s mode of transportation — sea, air or land — travelers may become confused, which will discourage commerce and tourism.”
“We are concerned that the acceleration of the implementation deadline for airline passengers does not provide ample advance notice to enable the public to obtain passports,” Vanderpool-Wallace added.
Sellers of Caribbean travel hope the following offers will help keep people traveling to the Caribbean beyond Jan. 8, 2007. Incentives may include full reimbursement of basic passport fees, complimentary spa packages, golf greens fees, attraction tours, room upgrades, extra nights and gift shop purchases.
Governments
Jamaica launched a new program encouraging U.S. citizens to get their passports by rewarding vacationers who make Jamaica their first visit with their new passport. Rewards include special credits while on the island amounting to the cost of obtaining a passport.
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) also is implementing “Jamaican Morning Coffee Breaks” to encourage Americans to obtain their passports. From Nov. 15, 2006 until mid-winter 2007, the JTB will hold coffee breaks at major commuter terminals in New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C. where consumers can actually apply for their passports onsite as well as collect the required forms. Free Jamaican coffee will be served.
For more information visit www.visitjamaica.com or call 1-800-233-4JTB (1-800-233-4582).
Aruba Hotels
Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort in Aruba offers a $25 food and beverage credit per person, per stay (minimum five-night stay) to those who make Aruba the first stamp in their passport. The promotion is valid Jan. 3, 2007 – Dec. 17, 2007. For more information visit www.AmsterdamManor.com or call 1-800-932-6509.
Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba is providing a $50 car rental voucher per reservation (minimum of a five-night stay) to those who make Aruba the first stamp in their passport. The special is valid for reservations made now through Dec. 31, 2006 for travel through 2007. Visit www.arubaboardwalk.com or call 011-297-586-1836.
La Cabana All Suite Resort in Aruba offers 25% off regular nightly rates when booking directly through the hotel reservation center at 1-800-835-7193 for those travelers who make Aruba their first point of entry with their new passport. This promotion is valid for bookings received by Dec. 15, 2006 for travel in 2007.
MVC Eagle Beach, Aruba is providing a $25 food and beverage credit per person, per stay (minimum five-night stay) to those customers who choose Aruba as their first destination with their new passport. This special is valid Jan. 3, 2007 – Dec. 17, 2007. Visit www.MVCEagleBeach.com or call 011-297-587-0110.
Westin Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino in Aruba provides a $50 food and beverage credit per person, per stay, valid now through 2007 for those who make Aruba the first stamp in their passport. For more information visit www.westin.com/aruba or call1 1-877-822-2222.
Bahamas Hotels
Club Peace & Plenty, located on the Island of Exuma in the Bahamas, will reimburse the cost of obtaining a passport for up to two children and two adults in each booking party. This promotion is valid for bookings received by Dec. 31, 2006 for travel in 2007. For more information visit www.peaceandplenty.com or call 1-800-525-2210.
Westin and Sheraton Grand Bahama Island Our Lucaya Resort, located on Grand Bahama Island, is offering a $100 resort credit to guests who obtain a passport now through Dec. 31, 2006 for travel now through June 2007. For more information visit www.ourlucaya.com or call 1-888-627-7129 for the Sheraton or 1-888-627-7130 for the Westin.
Anguilla Hotels
Arawak Beach Inn, Anguilla, is offering a special rate and a complimentary day-trip to those travelers who obtain a passport and make Anguilla the first stamp in their new passport. Rates start at $240 per person, based on double occupancy, and vary during different seasons. This offer is good for travel now through June 30, 2007. Visit www.arawakbeach.com or call 1-877-427-2925.
St. Lucia Hotels
Ladera Resort in St. Lucia will reimburse the cost to obtain a passport to travelers who make St. Lucia their first visit with their new passport. As an added incentive, Ladera will also provide guests with a leather passport case, a complimentary 30-minute Jet-Lag massage at the Ti Kaye Posé Spa and a beverage from the bar. This offer is valid Jan. 1, 2007 –Dec. 21, 2007. A minimum five-night stay is required. For more information visit www.ladera.com or call 1-800-738-4752.
Chain Hotels
Marriott and Renaissance Caribbean Resorts, including Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort (St. Thomas), Curacao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino, and St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino, are offering a $100 resort credit (minimum five-night stay) for those who make any one of these properties their first visit with their new passport. This offer is valid Jan. 1, 2007 – April 30, 2007. Visit www.paradisebymarriott.com or call 1-888-PARADISE.
SuperClubs has nine resorts in the Caribbean including Grand Lido Negril Resort & Spa, Grand Lido Braco Resort & Spa, Breezes Runaway Bay Resort & Golf Club, Breezes Montego Bay, Hedonism II and Hedonism III, all in Jamaica; Breezes Bahamas in Nassau; Breezes Curacao Resort Spa & Casino; and Breezes Puerto Plata Resort Spa & Casino in the Dominican Republic.
Those travelers who obtain new passports or renew older ones, and stay at one of these SuperClubs’ properties, will receive the cost of obtaining a passport credited towards a vacation package. Travelers must book by Jan. 8, 2007, for travel anytime in 2007. For more information visit www.SuperClubs.com or call 1-800-GO-SUPER (1-800-467-8737).
Tour Operators
CheapCaribbean.com will reimburse the cost to acquire a passport for each member of the traveling party when booking through CheapCaribbean.com. This offer is available for a limited time with travel through 2007. The rebate form as well as original receipts must be mailed in within 30 days of booking the trip. Visit www.CheapCaribbean.com or call 1-800-915-2322.
Many Caribbean governments, as well as CTO, are creating public awareness campaigns to inform the public of the need to obtain a passport by the Jan. 8, 2007 WHTI implementation date as well as where and how to get one.
Passports may be obtained through the U.S. Postal Service. The passport fees are paid to the U.S. Department of State while Execution fees are paid to the Postmaster. Fees are as follows: Passport Fee ($67), Execution Fee ($30) and Photo Fee ($15). Fees for children under age 16 include: Passport Fee ($52), Execution Fee ($30) and Photo Fee ($15). Prospective passport seekers can provide their own passport photos.
For information about applying for a U.S. passport, visit http://usps.com/passport or call 800-ASK-USPS.
For information concerning the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, travelers can visit the U.S. State Departments’ website at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html.
Private companies that offer U.S. passport services include International Visa Services, a passport expediting company that has partnered with CTO in order to help travelers obtain their passports.
International Visa Services ensures a passport will arrive in a timely manner as the company’s normal passport delivery time is five days, but can be reduced to one if needed. For more information on their services visit www.visalady.com or call 1-800-627-1112.
