Posted by: Editor on Dec 01, 2006 – 12:57 PM
newsandinfo  Alarmed that new US passport requirements could cost the Caribbean region billions of dollars in lost visitors and tourism jobs, resorts and tourism bureaus are offering a variety of discounts to keep travelers coming to their shores.

One destination is Club Peace and Plenty on Exuma which will cover the cost of up to four new passports for people booking trips by December 31 for trips planned through January 02.

In the past, US travelers often needed only a driver’s licence and a birth certificate. However, under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, by January 23, 2007, all air travelers to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda will be required to have a passport to leave or re-renter the United States.

New passports are $97 for adults and $82 for children, but can cost more if obtained through expedited passport services.

While the new regulation affects several regions, Caribbean destinations appear to be the most concerned that they will be negatively impacted. In fact, Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, secretary general for the 32-member Caribbean Tourism Organization, last month compared the action to “a category six hurricane.”

“Needless to say, the affected Caribbean nations are extremely disappointed with this outcome because the potential economic impact on their business could be catastrophic,” he said, in a public statement.

According to a report written by the World Travel and Tourism Council on behalf of the Caribbean Hotel Association, the region could lose $2.6 billion in visitor exports and more than 188,300 travel and tourism jobs as travelers without passports cancel or postpone trips due to the new regulation.

Source: The Tribune