Caribbean Press Releases - recent news & press releases - Articles - Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

The women of La Zebra in Tulum are warmer than the Caribbean sun!

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:00:00 CST

TULUM, Mayan Riviera (Nov. 28, 2007) – Tulum, the last rustic stretch of the Mayan Riviera found 1.5 hours south of Cancun, is known for a more laidback and gentle, bohemian energy than the frenetic tourist towns of Playa del Carmen and Cancun.

Passport Rule Relaxed for Travelers to the Caribbean

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 00:00:00 CDT

June 22, 2007 -- Responding to protests, the State Department and the Homeland Security Department said they would temporarily relax a rule requiring passports for air travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.

U.S. politicians vote to delay passport rules for U.S. travellers for 17 months

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 00:00:00 CDT

June 15, 2007 -- The U.S. House of Representatives voted Friday to delay for 17 months new rules requiring passports for Americans entering the United States by land and sea from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

U.S. Citizens with Pending Passport Applications Allowed Temporary Travel Flexibility

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Washington – June 8, 2007 -- The U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security announced June 8, 2007 that U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda who have applied for but not yet received passports can nevertheless temporarily enter and depart from the United States by air with a government issued photo identification and Department of State official proof of application for a passport through September 30, 2007.

No Major Impact for St. Maarten from Passport Requirement

Wed, 02 May 2007 00:00:00 CDT

Philipsburg, St. Maarten -- May 2, 2007 -- The outcry about the immense and damaging impact the US passport requirement, implemented in January, would have had on St. Maarten’s tourism industry may have been just a huge hurricane in a teacup, as industry officials report no major decline in arrivals.

Caribbean Destinations, Hotels Provide Incentives to Entice Travelers to Get Passports

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 00:00:00 CST

New York, NY – 15 Jan., 2007 -- As a last minute reminder to consumers to obtain their passports, sellers of Caribbean destinations and hotels are offering incentives to obtain a passport in light of the impending Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which will be implemented on Jan. 23, 2007 for all travelers re-entering the U.S. via air transportation.

Jamaica Launches New Programs to Reward Americans who Apply for New Passports

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 00:00:00 CST

Kingston, Jamaica --- 30 Oct. 2006 ----- Jamaica is encouraging Americans to get their passports through a series of value added and educational programs created in response to the new U.S. passport regulations. Two programs are being announced by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) offering incentives for travelers who obtain new passports, and providing opportunities that make it convenient for potential travelers to sign up for their passports.

World Travel & Tourism Council Opposes US Passport Legislation

Sun, 15 Oct 2006 00:00:00 CDT

London, 14 Oct. 2006---(Prensa Latina), In a statement released here, the World Travel Tourism Council (WTTC) strongly opposes the decision of the United States Congress to maintain the January 8, 2007 deadline for implementation of the WHTI regarding air passengers, while extending the date for land and sea cruise visitors.

Caribbean Hotel Association Calls for Joint Mission to The US Capital

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:00:00 CDT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – 13 Oct. 2006 -- The Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) is reaching out to all Caribbean Heads of Government to join an effort to minimize the potential devastating economic impact and loss of jobs in Caribbean countries by the exclusion of air travel in the extension of passport requirements.

Jamaica Tourist Board to Implement Initiatives to Stem Effects of New U.S. Passport Regime

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 00:00:00 CDT

Kingston---11 Oct. 2006---The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) intends to pursue a number of initiatives to prevent a fall-off in tourist arrivals when the Caribbean phase of the United States (U.S.) passport regime comes into effect in January 2007.